Indo-UK relations ''best ever'': Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) India and the UK today described the relationship between them as the ''best ever'' and ''mature'' with Britain asserting that it looked even beyond the bilateral relationship.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said it was a comprehensive strategic partnership which sought to intensify bilateral cooperation in the entire gamut of interaction.

''...The Indo-British bilateral relationship is now perhaps at its best ever. It is a comprehensive strategic partnership which seeks to intensify our co-operation over the entire gamut of our interactions,'' he said, after official talks with visiting British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett.

Ms Beckett said Britain saw the two countries as natural partners and looked even beyond the bilateral relationship.

''...it is a mature relationship because it has endured for many years but it is not its maturity which is the most important thing, it is indeed those shared values and interests and the way in which we work together,'' she added.

The two Foreign Ministers said, in separate statements after their hour-long talks here, that they looked forward to strengthening the relationship.

Mr Mukherjee said the two countries have strong cooperation on international issues, with both uniting on the need to face terrorism with resolve and without equivocation.

''We greatly appreciate the UK's commitment to fight terrorism wherever it appears and the banning of terrorist groups operating against India,'' he said.

He said the two countries also shared the objective of stabilising Afghanistan and ensuring that terrorism is defeated in the region.

Mr Mukherjee said the economic relationship between the two countries had been transformed dramatically, with half a million people from India visiting the UK annually and more than 400,000 British nationals visiting India.

''The UK has become a bridgehead for Indian companies' expansion abroad, especially in the I. T. sector where India places great emphasis on intellectual property rights and data security and protection.'' Both trade and investment have witnessed significant increases and India has emerged as the third largest investor in the UK, he said adding that India would also encourage UK business to look more closely at investment and trade opportunities with India.

''Cooperation in scientific research and modalities to commercialise it are being explored. Our countries are also cooperating in developing solutions for sustainable development and clean energy...The relationship is flourishing, multi-dimensional and strong. It is based on shared values and interests and indicates the depth and maturity of a partnership between our two countries--one the largest democracy and the other the oldest,'' the Minister said.

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