Kolkata: Terming India as a "critical partner" in the UK's international priorities, Britain today (Dec 12, 2003) emphasised the need for both the countries to make sustained collaborative efforts to combat global terrorism and international crime.

Inaugurating a week-long socio-cultural carnival 'UK and Kolkata' here, British High Commissioner in India Michael Arthur said his Government had identified six overseas strategic areas where India could play a key role.

"From making the world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction to combating international crime and drug trafficking, India's role is key in our global goals," Arthur said.

He said the British Government was also keen on promoting an open and expanding global economy underpinned by democracy, good governance and human rights.

"One of the greatest strengths of the relationship is the largest people to people link between the two countries. There are 1.3 million people of Indian origin in the UK – the single most successful new community in our country," he said.

Arthur said he was happy to have taken over the reins at a time when bilateral trade between India and the UK was buoyant.

"During these 10 years of Indo-British partnership the two-way trade has grown from two billion Dollars to more than five billion Dollars," he added.

Britain, which has the third largest foreign direct investment in India, was also looking at the new economy opportunities of cross-investment and research and development through a workshop 'Investing in the UK' during the exchange programme, Arthur said.

"The India IT sector is also doing remarkably well. More than 450 Indian companies have already established their operations in the UK, with more than 350 of them in the fast growing software and IT sector. We are very keen to work with you in IT," he said.

Lauding the Indian economy for being among the world's top five fastest growing economies, he said the UK was confident that with its entrepreneurship and technical specialisation, India would soon join the top 10 world economies.

PTI