Foreign Office Consultations were held on March 14, 2005 in London between delegations led by Mr. Shyam Saran, Foreign Secretary of India and Sir Michael Jay, Permanent Under Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Mr. Saran�s team included Mrs. Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (UN) and Mrs. Sujatha Singh, Joint Secretary (Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

They had a constructive and substantive exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues, including the forthcoming G-8 summit at Gleneagles, to which Prime Minister Blair has invited the Prime Minister of India, preparations for the EU�India summit, which will be held later this year during the UK�s presidency of the EU, and UN reforms.

Among other issues, the Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Under Secretary also had a detailed exchange of views on the energy requirements of growing economies, climate change and sustainable development. They agreed that India and the UK must strengthen their cooperation in key areas such as science and technology. Mr. Saran emphasised the need for a fair and transparent regime for Indian nationals working in the UK.

The Consultations were preceded by discussions on strategic issues and on international terrorism, between delegations led by Mrs. Meera Shankar and Mr. David Richmond, Director General, Defence and Intelligence. India and the UK have agreed to strengthen their partnership in key strategic areas.