Monday, February 7 2005 18:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: British Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Bach of Lutterworth would lead the British delegation to the fifth Aero India aerospace exposition beginning in Bangalore on February 9.

Over 20 UK companies are taking part in the show, a British High Commission statement said.

At the event, Lord Bach would meet Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other senior dignitaries, it said.

"The important relationship between India and the UK has never been stronger. The Joint Declaration signed by our Prime Ministers last September urges us to build on these excellent links, and this includes the co-production of Defence equipment. Aero India gives India and the UK a suitable platform to achieve that," he was quoted as saying in the statement.