Dipankar De Sarkar

London, Sep 13 Britain's Trade, Investment and Business Minister Lord Mervyn Davies is to visit India for four days beginning on Monday for talks to expand growing ties in defence technology and other cutting-edge sectors.

High on his agenda is the city of Nagpur, which is being developed as India's new aerospace hub and, according to the UK-India Business Council, needs new "infrastructure and engineering capability".

The UKIBC hopes that by engaging now with Nagpur, British businesses will be able to grow with the city and able to beat off the competition.

Davies, who will also travel to Delhi and Mumbai, said in London recently that Britain was keen to develop high-tech defence and aerospace ties with India.

His visit is likely to lead to a 'mix and match' between Indian and British defence and security companies with a follow-up visit from the Indians later this year.

The entire effort could give defence cooperation between the two countries its biggest push in more than 60 years, with jobs created in both countries.

"India is on the move and we must move with it," said Davies on Sunday.

"Innovative Indian and UK firms are now working together at the top end of the industrial spectrum - on pharmaceuticals, electronics and advanced manufacturing. India's talent, confidence, energy and entrepreneurial spirit is for the world to see and experience," he said.

"The UK and India stand shoulder to shoulder in a new millennium. In forums such as G20, we are promoting global trade and economic liberalisation, which is vital to bring prosperity and jobs to millions in both our countries and around the world," he added.

Davies will visit Nagpur to support a delegation of British businesses led by the UKIBC. The delegation will have companies from urban infrastructure, town planning, mining, energy, legal, financial, construction, water, power, education, and brand marketing sectors.

Britain's bilateral trade with India is worth over 12 billion pounds and Indian investments last year created some 4,000 jobs in Britain -- second only to US investments.