President Pratibha Patil arrives in London

London, Oct.26 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil arrived here on Monday evening, which marks the beginning of her weeklong two-nation tour to United Kingdom and Cyprus.

Patil is leading a high-level delegation comprising diplomatic corps and representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

President is visiting the United Kingdom at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth.

During her visit, Queen Elizabeth, as head of Commonwealth, will present to President Patil the baton, indicating launch of the Commonwealth Games, at a ceremony at the Buckingham Palace.

President Patil is also scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Issues like Afghanistan, the situation in South Asia, reform of the international institutions, climate change and WTO trade talks and financial crisis are likely to be discussed.

Education, research, counter-terrorism and economic cooperation are some of other important issues, which also considered in the meetings with British leaders.

Besides, she will attend a business meeting organised by the UK-India Business Council, meet the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and British Members of Parliament.

President Patil will be in London till October 29.

This is also the first State visit to UK after the Strategic Partnership firmed up between the two countries in 2004. (ANI)