New Delhi: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Mike O'Brien arrives in Delhi on October 16 on a three-day visit and is expected to hold detailed talks with the Indian leadership on counter-terrorism and security policy issues.

"India is an important friend of the UK and our bilateral relations has never been closer," O'Brien said commenting on his trip to India, according to a British High Commission release.

O'Brien, who has already visited Nepal and Afghanistan, said Indo-British partnership "is wide and diverse and includes peace and security, trade, investment, science and technology and much more.

"I look forward to working to improve our excellent relations and to discuss with India important regional and international issues," he said.

O'Brien, whose responsibilities include international security, non-proliferation, security policy issues and counter-terrorism, would hold talks with Indian leaders as well as senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office and External Affairs Ministry.

He had visited India earlier as Home Office Minister.

PTI