India has asked Britain to allow Indian banks easier
access to licences to operate in the UK as Britain''s
chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown commenced a
three-day visit in pursuit of stronger Indo-British
ties.
Brown,
who is widely expected to take over from prime minister
Tony Blair in July, to push for greater access for UK
businesses in the Indian market and Britain to be the
most preferred location for Indian companies setting
up businesses abroad.
British
companies are keen for an increase in the cap on FDI
in the insurance sector to at least 49 per cent from
26 per cent at present a move being opposed tooth-and-nail
by the Left parties that support the ruling UPA.
Brown
said the Indian government had assured him that all
companies would be treated equally when takeover bids
are being
considered, referring to Vodafone Plc''s interest Hutchison
Essar.
The
two sides also promised to strengthen co-operation on
security issues and tackle financing of terrorist activities.
|