A Joint Declaration signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his British counterpart Tony Blair after wide-ranging talks at a luncheon meeting here sets out the roadmap to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Reaffirming their commitment to work towards promoting international peace, stability and security, the two sides shared the view that a strengthened multilateral system, including a reformed UN Security Council that would reflect the changing aspirations of the 21st century was an important element of this process.
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Under the strategic partnership covering 15 points, the two countries, among other things, decided to explore the co-production of defence equipment, work towards the objective of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery.
The declaration said the two countries were deeply committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"We will work together to try to ensure that the global norms against terrorism are upheld by all countries. We will share our experience and augment our cooperation, including operational cooperation between police, law enforcement agencies and others in our criminal justice system. We will enhance our cooperation to counter money laundering and terrorist financing," the Joint Declaration said.
Stating that the UK would support India to join the Financial Action Task Force, it said the two countries would identify specific needs and share best practice in the areas of justice, judicial cooperation and mutual legal assistance.
"We will cooperate in the fight against international,organised and serious crime and new forms of criminality, including illegal migration, drugs trafficking and trafficking in people."
On the Economic and Trade Issues, the Joint Declaration said the economic ties of the two countries would continue to expand.
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"We will establish a Ministerially-led Joint Economic and Trade Committee to further develop a strategic economic relationship, and develop business-led vehicles to enhance bilateral trade and investment in specific sectors including services and knowledge-based industries. We will enhance our dialogue on international
Observing that the two countries saw their relationship as among their "top international priorities", it said "we now intend to take our relationship to new level."
Singh and Blair said "as heads of government, we will work for a long term comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century of shared values and interest."
It was decided that the two prime ministers and their foreign ministers would exchange visits annually to reinforce and extend bilateral cooperation in various identified fields.
The two sides decided to establish an Indo-British Economic and Financial Dialogue on bilateral and global issues, on financial systems and to enhance economic and financial cooperation.
They agreed to work closely for a successful conclusion to the WTO's Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of civilian nuclear activities, civilian space programme and high technology trade in accordance with their international obligations.
Enhancing existing collaboration in Science and Technology and identifying new areas of cooperation were also envisaged in the declaration. These areas include climate change, alternative and clean energy technology, environmental science, commercial applications of high technology like biotech and bio-informatics nano-technology, agriculture and health research and development.
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It was decided to initiate regular high-level dialogue to share experiences on how the two countries can overcome social, economic and environmental challenges and bring real quality of life improvement for their people and around the world.
The two leaders agreed to explore ways to help educational establishments in both countries to establish lasting partnership.
By 2008, it is expected that 25,000 students from the UK and India would be studying in each other's academic institutions.
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"On this historic occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both our people and the international community based on universal values of democracy and respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms," the declaration said.
Besides holding annual summit meetings alternating in London and New Delhi, the two sides decided to continue the high-level dialogue established through the personal envoys.
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