Britain and India shared hopes that Pakistan would see an early return to stability and prosperity and recognised the importance of free and fair parliamentary elections on February 18.
In a joint statement issued at the end of talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown along with their respective delegations here on Monday, they welcomed the announcement of elections in Nepal on April 10, 2008 and urged all parties to cooperate and maintain the declared date to ensure a free and fair process, open to all without intimidation.
The statement further said both sides would like to see a peaceful, stable and democratic Bangladesh, where the people of Bangladesh would be able to exercise their will through free and fair elections. They agreed that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, and urged the Sri Lankan government to put forward a credible devolution package as a key contribution to finding a political settlement acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.
Noting that terrorism is a global threat requiring a global response, both sides underlined the importance of joint international efforts in countering terrorism, which is not justified under any circumstances.
They agreed to intensify mutual exchange of views, experiences and practical cooperation in the fight against terrorism, both through bilateral channels and in multilateral forums. They will strengthen cooperation through the Indo-UK Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
The statement said multilaterally, the two countries remained committed to pursuing as soon as possible agreement in the UN on the Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism. Bilaterally, the UK and India agreed to build on existing co-operation including in the protection of critical national infrastructure, mass transit systems and the security of major sporting events and expand it further in the fields of Civil Aviation security and crisis management.
In addition, it was agreed to establish a new bilateral dialogue on Terrorist Financing. The UK reiterated its support for India's full membership of the Financial Action Task Force.
Earlier, speaking at a meeting of industrialists here, Gordon Brown said "failed states and failing states" could harbour terrorism. "Failed states can harbour terrorism and be a source of disorder and then spread right across the international community," he said.
Noting that the world was not currently equipped to respond to the rise of non-state terrorism and spread of weapons of mass destruction, Brown said "so it is time to set a new and ambitious agenda to prevent conflict and to stabilise and reconstruct failing and failed states.
He said Britain would work with India in combating the menace of terrorism. Britain is prepared to utilise its expertise to help determine the requirements for the verifiable elimination of nuclear warheads," he said.
Increased interest in acquiring nuclear energy entails risks of proliferation, he said. "This increased interest brings with it increased risks of proliferation," he said without directly referring to India, which has been seeking global support for securing civil nuclear energy.
"So Britain will press for early agreement to a new IAEA-led international system to help non-nuclear states acquire the new sources of energy they need, including through an enrichment bond," he said. But this offer must be made "only in return for firm commitments to the highest non-proliferation standards", he added.