Singapore: India has proposed to Singapore an anti-terrorism treaty, similar to the agreements New Delhi has with Britain and the United States.

The treaty would include mutual legal assistance in terrorism cases and the setting up of a joint working group for exchange of intelligence, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who is on a four-day official visit to the city-state, said.

India and Singapore are also likely to start formal talks on a comprehensive free- trade agreement within the next few months, Advani said in an interview to 'Straits Times' published on February 4.

The matter will be taken up in April when Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong visits India on the invitation of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said.

Advani said India would like the proposal for a free trade zone, currently being looked into by senior officials from both countries, "to be expedited" to further cement bilateral relations.

Advani said the other purpose of his visit to Singapore was to encourage non- resident Indians (NRIs) to invest in India.

"India has the potential, it has all the resources… there is no dearth of talent," he said adding, "What is needed is this sense of confidence that has transformed Singapore."

Advani expressed the hope that Indians abroad would contribute their "energies, talents and resources" to the opportunities in India.

PTI