Guwahati: British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Kim Howells on Thursday said the United Kingdom was encouraged by the action taken by the caretaker government in Bangladesh on the presence of camps of terrorist groups of Assam and other northeastern States.

Dr. Kim said here that while the previous government denied the existence of such camps, the caretaker government had initiated action.

His comments came in answer to a question whether the U.K. would join India in building up international pressure on Myanmar and Bangladesh for demolition of camps of insurgent groups.

Dr. Kim was speaking after the inauguration of a British Information Centre in the city. The centre was opened by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the presence of British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India Simon Wilson.

Underlining the need for increased cooperation between India and the U.K. in fighting terrorism, the British Minister said his country would continue to train intelligence officers of the Assam Police.

Dr. Kim said the centre would not only be a one-stop-shop for information on the U.K. but also play a key role in many areas of work — consular, immigration, trade and investment.

Mr. Gogoi said the centre would help further strengthen the cultural and business relations between Assam and the U.K.

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