London, June 17: India has handed over a list to the UK authorities that contains names of specific persons who have been providing funds to Kashmiri militants from the UK, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said here today. "Specific names (of those who provide funds to Kashmiri militants) were discussed" during his luncheon meeting with British Home Secretary David Blunkett, Advani told newsmen. "We will follow it up," he said. At his press conference, the Deputy Prime Minister said during his meetings with the leaders of American and British governments, the strategic nature of Indo-US and Indo-British relationship and "our agenda for future bilateral cooperation were discussed." Advani, who visited the US at the invitation of Vice-President Dick Cheney and the UK at the invitation of his counterpart John Prescott, said: "The main feature of the consultations was the expression of a strong desire to continue the process of transforming India-US relations into a partnership of trust and confidence which can stand up to whatever challenges the future brings." He said President George W Bush and other senior leaders of the US government underlined the importance of the relationship and expressed strong support to continue to work towards further deepening it. Advani said the highlight of his three-day visit to the UK was his meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair who was gracious to receive him at his doorstep at 10, Downing Street. "The talks were conducted in the garden and the atmospherics and ambience were excellent," he added. The Deputy Prime Minister said he took the opportunity of thanking Blair for the support extended by the British leadership to India's struggle against terrorism, noting that Blair had already expressed "his personal appreciation for our Prime Minister's peace initiatives when they met in St. Petersburg."
"I gave Blair a detailed overview of our position on the resumption of the composite dialogue process (with Pakistan) and our commitment to discuss all issues freely and frankly, including Jammu and Kashmir." "However, Pakistan should fulfil its commitment on ceasing cross-border terrorism and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. Blair expressed complete understanding of our position adding that, as in the past, he would underline these concerns during his meeting with General Musharraf in London today," Advani said. On bilateral relationship, both the countries agreed it was "excellent" and had huge potential for the future. Blair paid tribute to India's strengths in it and bio-technology stressing that these were the future areas of cooperation," Advani said. Blair underlined the new confidence that was visible among India's businessmen which represented the new entrepreneurial spirit, the Deputy Prime Minister said. "Blair added that he attached importance to the strengthening of Britain's strategic partnership with India, bilaterally and with the European Union." "I thanked Blair for his government's support to India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council," Advani said. Referring to the so-called asylum seekers from India, he said "both Blair and Blunkett underlined their conviction that there could be no justification for asylum seekers from a vibrant democracy such as India." Reviewing India's cooperation with Britain in area of counter-terrorism with Blunkett, Advani said he expressed satisfaction at the excellent work being done by the joint working group. Blunkett agreed to pay an official visit to India, which would be his first visit and the dates are being worked out mutually. Advani, who leaves for New Delhi tomorrow, had a luncheon meeting with Prescott this afternoon and later held discussions with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Bureau Report