§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his visit to India.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI made an official visit to India between 2 and 6 January, and to Pakistan on 7 and 8 January.
In India, I visited Delhi, where I had constructive discussions with the Indian Prime Minister, the Indian Home Affairs Minister, and the Indian External Affairs Minister. We discussed in particular the importance of co-operation between the Governments of the United Kingdom and India in combating terrorism. I stressed our commitment to the fight against terrorism, and to co-operation with India in this. I also took the opportunity to express our concern about human rights. I also discussed the desirability of concluding a bilateral agreement to enable co-operation in the tracing, freezing and confiscation of terrorist funds and the proceeds of serious crime, including drug trafficking. In addition, I discussed the suggestion by the Indian Government that the existing extradition arrangements should be replaced by an extradition treaty. I agreed that our experts should again consider this, while having proper regard to the practical and legal requirements.
467WIn Delhi, I gave a speech at the Indian international centre, a copy of which I am placing in the Library. I also visited and formally opened the new high commission immigration building, and held useful discussions with staff working in the immigration section.
In Bombay I met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, where I discussed immigration and drugs matters. I visited the police headquarters and the immigration section of the high commission, where I had useful discussions with staff and police officers.
In Islamabad, I had meetings with the President, the Interior Minister, and the Minister for Narcotics Control. The main focus of these discussions was the importance of international efforts to combat drug trafficking. I stressed that it was in the interests of both Governments to develop effective programmes to reduce the production of heroin, to break the supply chain and to reduce demand for drugs. I also had useful discussions with staff at the high commission concerned with the control of immigration and narcotics.