Srinagar : India and Britain will hold a `first-of- its-kind' joint military exercises in March next year, UK chief of Army Staff Gen. Mike Jackson said while on a visit to Kashmir today.

Urging for a lasting settlement on all issues concerning India and Pakistan, General Jackson made it clear that Britian had no intenion of playing the mediator.

"Britain's position is very clear that Kashmir problem is a matter for the two countries concerned. Obviously Britain would wish to see a peaceful settlement in due course but I reiterate we see it as entirely a bilateral matter for the two countries concerned," he said.

Jackson's 10-day visit to India comes barely two weeks after their Defence Secretary Geoffrey Hoon paid a surprise visit to New Delhi to strengthen anti-terrorism and military ties between the two nations.

Last month, India and Britain had agreed to expand co-operation in defence, civilian nuclear and space programmes and high technology trade after a meeting between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh. (ANII)

New Kerala
Oct 21, 2004