British PM visits India to boost trade links

British Prime Minister David Cameron and a massive delegation of Cabinet ministers and dignitaries fanned out across India today in a visit aimed at rebuilding trade relations and other ties between the two nations.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and a massive delegation of Cabinet ministers and dignitaries fanned out across India on Wednesday in a visit aimed at rebuilding trade relations and other ties between the two nations.

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As the former colonial power in Bangalore, Britain has had a complicated bond with India. But Cameron's newly elected government has placed special emphasis on India, hoping its emerging economy and growing international influence can help fuel British growth.

"I'm here with a very clear purpose: to renew the relationship between India and Britain to relaunch a relationship that is stronger, wider and deeper," Cameron wrote in India's The Hindu newspaper Wednesday.

Cameron brought with him six government ministers, about 50 leaders of some of Britain's largest companies, Olympic gold medalists and academics.

He began his visit in the southern city of Bangalore, where he was to drop in on local companies and his business minister was to visit a high-tech office park.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Treasury chief George Osborne will ring the opening bell at the Bombay Stock Exchange and address business leaders.