New Delhi: India and Britain today (Jan 30, 2004) decided to set up an institutional framework for counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing and signed a major agreement on the return of Indian nationals who remain in that country without permission.

"We have decided to set up an institutional framework for counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing, which will be formalised soon," Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said after signing with his British counterpart David Blunkett, the agreement on returning Indian immigration offenders from that country.

Observing that this was the "first agreement of its kind" to be signed by India with any country, Blunkett said it was "an indication of tremendous strides taken together in counter-terrorism operations".

To questions on funds being raised in the UK (United Kingdom) to finance terror groups, the British Home Minister said immediate action would be taken against such activities if any information was on passed to it.