NEW DELHI, 7 September 2005 — India and Britain will sign an anti-terror during Prime Minister Tony Blair’s two-day visit to India.

With Britain currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, Blair will represent the EU in the sixth India-European Union summit here today. Joining him in the talks will be European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lead the Indian delegation.

During his visit, Blair will also focus on strengthening India-UK ties. Blair and Manmohan will hold bilateral talks today at Simla, the hill resort built by the British to escape the summer heat when they ruled India.

At the India-EU summit, a joint action plan will be adopted.

This plan “provides the necessary framework for deeper cooperation and engagement over a range of interactions, as envisaged by the strategic partnership launched by the two sides at the 5th India-EU summit held last year at The Hague,” according to an Indian Foreign Ministry statement.

With EU being India’s largest export destination that has a share of over 24 percent in the country’s total exports, a major part of the plan is devoted to intensifying economic dialogue and cooperation, trade and investment.

Summing up the salient features of what India and EU wish to achieve as strategic partners, the two sides will also issue a political declaration on India-EU strategic partnership.

Senior representatives of the EU delegation led by Blair and Barroso will pay a courtesy call on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today.

At the bilateral level, the primary focus will be on enhancing India-UK economic ties.

The UK delegation includes Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson, Minister of State for Trade Ian Pearson, besides 46 chairmen and CEOs of British companies, including British Telecom, BAT, Barclays and Glaxo Smith Kline Beecham and senior officials.

Britain is the third largest investor in India. Of late, Indian firms have also gained ground as important investors in Britain. India was the eighth largest investor in the UK in 2004.

India and Britain are likely to announce a deal to increase the number of flights between the two countries.

High on their agenda is an agreement for greater cooperation in the film world.