Monday, September 5 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will visit India later this week, hopes to give an impetus to Europe's economic and cultural ties with New Delhi besides taking Indo-British relations to a new high.

Blair, who left Britain for China for the first-leg of his four-day Asian tour, is taking a 40-member high-level delegation of European business executives along with him, an indication of his intention to boost trade ties with India. Blair, during his three-day visit to India beginning Tuesday, will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other officials in his dual capacity as British Prime Minister and European Union President.

Trade between Europe and India and China, two of the upcoming economic superpowers in Asia, was becoming increasingly crucial and it was in Britain's and Europe's interest to engage with both these countries, senior government officials said.

Blair and Singh will review bilateral relationship between India and Britain and discuss other regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He will also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and meet some other ministers besides addressing the joint EU-India business summit.

During his visit, Blair envisages signing of an air services agreement between India and UK and unveiling of a plan to promote trade and improve economic and scientific cooperation between India and the EU, Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson said on Sept 3, 2005.

Britain sees the visit as very important one, especially in terms of economic relation considering that India is a very significant investment destination for the country.