Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and British Prime Minister David Cameron, on Thursday, expressed satisfaction that trade ties between the two countries had been resilient despite the continuing global economic slowdown and difficulties in the Euro Zone.
Investments
At a meeting here on Thursday, the two leaders felt that investments on both sides had also progressed satisfactorily, official sources said. Cameron arrived in Delhi late on Wednesday night and left for Kolkata. He is headed to Colombo to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meet.
Trade pact
The two Prime Ministers discussed the Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC) and were happy at the progress that had been made, sources said. The terms of reference for the feasibility study of BMEC have been finalised as also the request for proposals. The importance of the India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) also came up in the discussions, sources indicated.
Later in the day, at IIM Calcutta, Cameron said Britain was looking for more business, trade and investment opportunities. “We are looking at stronger educational links with some institutions, such as IIM-C,” he said in an interaction with students in Kolkata. However, he added that India needed to open up more and called for a steady opening up process.
Cameron also met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and discussed infrastructure and business opportunities for British firms. A group of businessmen are said to have accompanied the British Prime Minister at this meeting.