Bangalore : British PM Warns Pakistan against any Export of Terror
Bangalore, Jul 28 (PTI) : Sending a ''very clear message'' to Pakistan, British Prime Minister David Cameron today warned that country against promoting any ''export of terror'', whether to India or elsewhere, and said it must not be allowed to "look both ways".
Cameron also said that it is not right for Pakistan to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror, in comments seen as endorsing India's stand.
"We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country(Pakistan) is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world," he said.
Cameron, who began his maiden visit to India after assuming office, made these remarks while talking to newsmen and in his address at the IT major Infosys campus in the outskirts of the city during a trip to Bangalore. He is due to hold official talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi tomorrow.
Cameron said "It's unacceptable for anything to happen within Pakistan that's about supporting terrorism elsewhere.And it's well documented that that has been the case in the past."
Cameron's remarks came against the backdrop of US documents leaked to Internet whistleblower site WikiLeaks accusing Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of secretly helping the Afghan insurgency while the coutnry took billions of aid to fight terror.
He said there had been "big progress" by Pakistan in fighting militant groups "but we need to see that progress continue."Cameron said he is going to discuss with Singh the "leakage" of funds given to Pakistan by the US and UK.
He also said that Britain like India wants a Pakistan that is stable, democratic and free from terror."We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan,"Cameron also spoke about the contours of a future UK-Pakistan relationship in the wake of the WikiLeaks expose.
"It should be a relationship based on a very clear message: that it is not right to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror," he said.
"Democratic states that want to be part of the developed world cannot do that. The message to Pakistan from the U.S. and the UK is very clear on that point," he added.
Cameron also pitched for closer security relationship between India and Britain saying the two countries must meet the challenge of ensuring global security.
He said Britain like India was determined that groups like the Taliban, the Haqqani network or Lakshar-e-Taiba should not be allowed to launch attacks on Indian and British citizens in India or in Britain.
"Our interests are your interests – so let’s work together to realise them," he said.
He referred to the terror strikes five years ago in Britain in which 52 people were killed on the tube and on a bus in London and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, killing scores of Indians and three British nationals.
Stating that Britain worked with Indian government in investigations, he said "we remain determined that those responsible must be brought to justice.""And I am here today to propose an even closer security relationship between India and Britain," he added.
India seals 700 mn pounds deal for 57 more BAE jets
Bangalore, July 28 (IANS) : British aerospace major BAE Systems on Wednesday sealed a deal with Indian defence behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the licensed production of 57 additional Hawk advanced jet trainers (AJTs).
"The Rs.5,110-crore (pound 700 million) deal is sealed here while a formal agreement will be signed in New Delhi Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and British Premier David Cameron," HAL chairman and managing director Ashok Nayak told IANS.
Of the total deal, 500 million pounds will be for BAE Systems and 200 million pounds for engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. The deal will support 200 jobs in Britain.
Cameron and British business secretary Vince Cable were present on the occasion when BAE chairman Dick Olver and Rolls-Royce president Dan Korte sealed the deal with Nayak at the latter's Bangalore complex in the old airport.
"I am delighted to witness the agreement between HAL, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. This is an outstanding example of India-UK defence and industrial partnership. The agreement will bring significant economic benefits to both our countries. It is evidence of our new, commercial foreign policy in action," Cameron said on the occasion.
The IAF has already inducted 39 of the initial order for 66 Hawks in its training aircraft fleet, including 24 that were bought in fly-away condition and 15 manufactured by HAL under licence production from BAE at its Bangalore complex.
"Of the 42 jets to be produced by us, we have so far delivered 15 to the IAF, and remaining will be rolled as per the schedule," Nayak said.
The IAF has located the Hawk fleet at its Bidar base in northern Karnataka, about 750km from here, to train its rookie pilots for flying the supersonic fighters such as Sukhois, MiGs, Mirages and Jaguars.
The Indian defence acquisition council approved buying the additional 57 Hawks August 14, 2008, including 40 for the IAF and 17 for the Indian Navy. The value of the first order was about Rs.8,000 crore.