Tuesday, March 15 2005 21:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has invited his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the forthcoming G-8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland.

The details of the invitation were discussed at the Foreign Office Consultations held in London yesterday (Mar 14, 2005) between Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and UK's Permanent Under Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Michael Jay.

The two sides had a "constructive and substantive exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues, including the forthcoming G-8 summit at Gleneages, to which Prime Minister Blair has invited the Prime Minister of India," the Indian High Commission in London said in an official release today (Mar 15).

The two delegations also discussed preparations for the EU-India summit, which will be held later this year in New Delhi under the UK's presidency of the EU, and UN reforms.

Among other issues, Saran and Jay had a detailed exchange of views on the energy requirements of growing economies, climate change and sustainable development.

They agreed that India and the UK must strengthen their cooperation in key areas such as science and technology. Saran also emphasised the need for a fair and transparent regime for Indian nationals working in the UK.

The Indian delegation led by Saran included Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (UN) and Sujatha Singh, Joint Secretary (Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

The day-long Consultations were preceded by discussions on strategic issues and on international terrorism, between delegations led by Meera Shankar and David Richmond, UK's Director General, Defence and Intelligence.

India and the UK have agreed to strengthen their partnership in key strategic areas.

Saran had come to London after concluding two-day talks in Moscow, where India and Russia agreed to carry forward their bilateral Defence cooperation and make efforts to enhance it.

The Foreign Office consultations were held close on the heels of the discussions External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh had with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in London last week.