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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Brown for partnership on security

Special Correspondent

Favours introduction of detection systems at seaports and airports

— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

Interactive session: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Brown (right) interact with members of Women’s Empowerment Event at the Nehru Youth Centre in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday sought greater cooperation with India in dealing with issues related to security and counter-terrorism.

Describing the ties between India and the two nations as “partnership of equals,” Mr. Brown told reporters here on Sunday that he would like to see greater cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries and better security at seaports and airports.

Mr. Brown, during his brief interaction with the media at a function where he met a group of empowered women from across the country, said terrorist activities anywhere raised questions of how “we can cooperate internationally in the fight against terrorism,” even as he stressed on the need for winning the battle of hearts and minds and isolating extremist ideologues, who try to poison the minds of young people.

He advocated the introduction of more sophisticated detection systems at the ports and the airports to prevent the movement of people carrying weapons or explosive materials across the nations.

“I expect cooperation against terrorism intensified in all countries in Asia, Europe and America in the years to come and I will talk these very issues when I meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.”

Mr. Brown said he was here to strengthen the relationship between the world’s oldest and largest democracies and would discuss issues of security and terrorism, environment, education and science exchanges and entrepreneurs.

Trade between India and Britain had doubled in five years. It was rising by 20 per cent annually with contracts worth $10 billion waiting to be signed between British and Indian companies, he said.

Myanmar issue

On Myanmar, he said it was important to realise that international action was necessary to persuade the government there to restore democracy and release the political prisoners there. “They [Myanmar government] have to take seriously all the problems that exist in their country and hold regular discussions between Aung Sang Suu Kyi.”

Appreciating the Chinese efforts in persuading the Myanmar regime in seeking the release of Ms. Suu Kyi, he said China and India had an important role to play in ensuring an end to the violence in that Myanmar. He said he would raise the issue with Dr. Singh. Mr. Brown hoped that the United Nations Secretary-General would visit Myanmar to facilitate an agreement between the government and the people.

Noting the part played by India in Bali on climate change, Mr. Brown said Britain and India would be involved in ensuring that the measures on post-Kyoto agreement on climate change yielded the expected results and that the carbon emissions were reduced.

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