Gordon Brown arrives in India (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 20 : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived here today to improve business ties and enhance co-operation on climate change and counter-terrorism with India.

In addition to bilateral talks, issues of terrorism and turmoil in Pakistan will be high on the agenda during Gordon Brown's one-and-a-half day trip.

"Both the countries are keen to work together to combat terrorism," British High Commissioner to India, Richard Stagg, had said.

Stagg had offered to share with India his country's experience in handling the situations like bomb blasts, which would be helpful in "managing big sporting events" which faced the risk of terrorism.

Apart from other important issues, Brown will discuss with his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh the issues relating to the current turmoil in Pakistan.

He will also call on President Pratibha Patil, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders.

Brown arrives in Delhi from China, and the visit will be about introducing British business to one of the Asia's economic giants.

Brown last visited India in January 2007 as Chancellor of Exchequer.

This is the 4th India-UK Summit since the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UK was launched in September 2004.

During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's September 2004 visit, the two countries had adopted a Joint Declaration, which upgraded bilateral relations to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which listed a whole series of areas for cooperation - including cooperation in trade and investment; education; science and technology and other relations.

Further expansion of economic linkages, research and development collaboration and cooperation in higher education and academic exchanges; and cooperation in counter-terrorism are among the important areas for consultations.

The two sides will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) India-UK Higher Education Leadership Development Programme to develop leadership skills in Indian universities. University Grants Commission (UGC), India; Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE), UK and UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), UK are the partners in the proposed MOU.

Brown's visit to India and China comes at a time when western economies are starting to see a slight slowdown.

So, while trade and investment will be at the top of the agenda at the summit in New Delhi, India will look at discussing immigration, which could become an issue as Britain starts to tighten its borders.

ANI