Britain to send special envoy to India

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will send a special envoy to India next month for an 'informal confidential exchange' of views with National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra to have a closer understanding on global, political and economic situation between the two countries.

This was conveyed by Blair when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee met  him today on the sidelines of the ongoing Commonwealth summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including the security sitution in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Middle East peace process and terrorism, Indian High Commissioner in London Ronen Sen told reporters after their parleys.

As regards the meeting between Blair's special envoy Sir Nigel Sheinwald and Mishra, Sen said there would be no fixed agenda and it would not be a formal meeting. "It would be very informal and confidential exchanges of views. Either side can raise any question."

Congratulating Vajpayee on his initaitive to improve ties with Pakistan, Blair told him without mincing words that there was no place for terrorism, Sen said.

Vajpayee, who was assisted by Mishra and Sen during the talks, told Blair that he was visiting Islamabad next month to attend the SAARC summit.

Blair told Vajpayee that his decision to send a special envoy to India was aimed at giving a new impetus to the bilateral cooperation between the two nations and for mutual benefit.

Sen said that there was no fixed agenda for the Vajpayee-Blair meeting which he described as "warm and friendly."
On the situation in Iraq, they agreed on the formation of a representative government and involvement of the United Nations in the process. This would not only create confidence among the people but stabilise the security situation in the country, Sen said.

To a question whether Blair made a request to Vajpayee for sending Indian troops for the peacekeeping operation in Iraq, Sen replied in negative saying Britain was aware of India's position that it would go by the UN mandate.

The two sides agreed that the present security situation in Iraq was "not satisfactory". What was immediately needed was reconstruction of the devasted areas, rehabilitation of the affected people and restoration of law and order situation there, Sen said in reply to a question.