London: Enhancing bilateral relations and Pakistan's re-entry into Commonwealth will top the agenda of talks British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will have with his Indian counterpart Yashwant Sinha during his four-day visit to India starting tomorrow (Feb 05, 2004).

Straw's visit will aim at further enhancing "the strong relationship between the two countries," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"There is a great deal for me to discuss with India's External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha," Straw said.

Though Straw declined to spell out details of the discussions, he said "Pakistan's re-entry into Commonwealth will figure as Islamabad has now made considerable progress in meeting the demands made by Commonwealth in restoration of democracy there."

Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon stated recently that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) would meet in the next couple of months to take a decision on Pakistan.

Britain is not a member of the CMAG but it has been pressing for re-entry of Pakistan.

In Delhi, Straw would meet the Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. In Bangalore he would meet captains of the industry.

To a question on British trade unions' opposition to British companies outsourcing in India, Straw said, "It is not a one-way street. We also benefit from outsourcing."

Straw's current visit, coming close on the heels of the Home Secretary David Blunkett's trip was part of both Governments' efforts to broaden and deepen their relations, he said.

Replying to another question, the British Foreign Secretary said, "Our relations with India are not defined by Pakistan or vice-versa." He indicated that he might visit Islamabad later in the spring.

He reiterated Britain's admiration for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the statesmanship they had shown during their recent meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation) summit.

Asked whether Britain had played a role in it, he said, "It is an achievement by India and Pakistan."