Prime Minister of United Kingdom Calls on President

Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 19, 2013.

Welcoming Mr. Cameron, the President said his visit and its extensive agenda demonstrated the depth of United Kingdom’s commitment towards India. India appreciates United Kingdom’s desire for a new special relationship with India and fully reciprocates this. Both countries have intensified their multi-faceted bilateral agenda.

The President said Government of India values partnership of both countries and seeks to strengthen it in all sectors especially in trade and investment, defence, education, science and technology. Both countries should give due priority to co-operation in combating terrorism.

The President said the United Kingdom has been supportive of India’s interests in international fora – in the European Union, G-8, G-20 and the global context. India appreciates United Kingdom’s consistent support for India’s membership of the four multilateral export control regimes and India’s candidature of permanent membership of United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister Cameron conveyed to the President that the relationship was strong and good in all respects but there is potential to go even further. The challenge he was setting to his own team was what more can United Kingdom do with India. He further described the reform of the international financial institutions as an area where United Kingdom and India can work towards a common goal.

This release issued at 1030hrs