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David Cameron: UK and India can have 'great partnership' David Cameron: UK and India can have great partnership
(about 2 hours later)
  
David Cameron has said the UK can forge one of "the great partnerships of the 21st century" with India, as he arrives in Mumbai to begin a three-day visit. David Cameron has said the UK can forge one of "the great partnerships of the 21st Century" with India, as he arrived in Mumbai to begin a three-day visit.
With business the main focus, he leads what 10 Downing Street says is the largest trade delegation taken on an overseas trip by a prime minister. With business the main focus, he is leading what Downing Street says is the largest trade delegation taken on an overseas trip by a UK prime minister.
Among those represented are Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and BP - plus the British Museum and London's Underground. Those represented include BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and London Underground.
Meanwhile, Mr Cameron has appeared to indicate that the UK's visa process could be made easier for Indian businesses. Meanwhile, Mr Cameron has indicated the UK's visa process could be made easier for Indian business people.
Speaking at the first stop on his trip, a question and answer session at Unilever headquarters in Mumbai, he told the audience: "India's rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of this century and it is incredibly impressive to see." Speaking at a question-and-answer-session at Unilever headquarters in Mumbai, the first stop on his trip, he told the audience: "India's rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of this century and it is incredibly impressive to see.
"Britain wants to be your partner of choice. We've only just started on the sort of partnership that we could build. "Britain wants to be your partner of choice. We've only just started on the sort of partnership that we could build. As far as I'm concerned, the sky is the limit."
"As far as I'm concerned, the sky is the limit." 'Ambitious vision'
Another of the visit's aims is to address controversy over recent toughening of UK visa rules. Mr Cameron promised up to £1m to help fund a feasibility study into using British expertise to develop a "business corridor" between Mumbai and Bangalore.
Mr Cameron told his audience that there was no limit on the number of Indian students that could come to British universities, so long as they had an English language qualification and a place to study. "I'm really excited about this project," he said. "It's an ambitious vision which could truly be a partnership for the next generation.
In an interview just ahead of the trip with the href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Europe/Cameron-is-back-to-do-more-business/Article1-1013092.aspx" >Hindustan Times - in which he said Britain and India could be "one of the great partnerships of the 21st Century" - he stressed how there was a "warm welcome" for those who wanted to make a "positive contribution" to the UK. "It would unleash India's potential along the 1,000 kilometres from Mumbai to Bangalore, transforming lives and putting British businesses in prime position to secure valuable commercial deals."
The prime minister said he was hoping to "put an even more attractive offer on the table" when it came to visa services to Indian business travellers. He added the project encapsulated "the spirit of this visit" and would "mark a new chapter in the UK-India economic relationship".
Another of the trip's aims is to address controversy over the recent toughening of UK visa rules.
Mr Cameron told an audience there was no limit on the number of Indian students that could come to British universities, so long as they had an English language qualification and a place to study.
In a round of TV interviews in Mumbai, Mr Cameron said Britain welcomed Indian university students.
"We want to make sure that we are attracting... the best and the brightest," he said.
"And in terms of our visa operation here in India, it is the biggest one we have anywhere in the world. Nine out of 10 of those who apply for a visa get one."
'Warm welcome'
The prime minister also spoke of making Britain's visa system simpler for Indian businesses.
"We are introducing today a same-day visa service for business people who want to come to Britain for linking up their businesses for trade and other things like that," he said.
In an interview just ahead of the trip with the Hindustan Times, he had stressed how there was a "warm welcome" for those who wanted to make a "positive contribution" to the UK.
Later on Monday, Mr Cameron visited a memorial to the 16 Indian police officers killed during the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
The prime minister laid a wreath in respect and listened as an honour guard played the Last Post.
During what is Mr Cameron's second trip to India as prime minister, he is due to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee.During what is Mr Cameron's second trip to India as prime minister, he is due to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee.
He appears to be hoping for some culinary distractions at least: asked during the curtain-raising Q&A session which Indian dishes he was hoping to sample, he replied that it would be a Kerala fish curry - "to see if it compares to my wife's". He also appears to be hoping for some culinary distractions. Asked during the Q&A session which Indian dishes he was hoping to sample, he replied that it would be a Kerala fish curry - "to see if it compares to my wife's".