Miliband wants Indo-British ties to be further strengthened

Britain’s new David Cameron-led government should work towards further strengthening UK’s bilateral ties with India, which have never been better, former Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said.

Mr. Miliband, a strong contender for Labour leadership, said the Indo-Britain ties during his party’s term, were marked by the remarkable relationship between former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Manmohan Singh, as he pressed on the need to build on the achievements of the previous government.

“During the Labour regime, the two Prime Ministers -- Gordon Brown and Dr Manmohan Singh -- had a fantastic relationship and British Indian relationship was never been better,” Mr. Miliband said here on Tuesday night.

Emphasising that it is very important for any government to build on the achievements of previous governments, Mr. Miliband, said: “I want to see the links between Britain and India strengthened properly“.

Earlier, speaking at a reception held in honour of the newly elected Councillors at the famous Red Fort restaurant, Mr. Miliband called upon partymen to re-dedicate themselves to champion the cause of the electorate with “principal, humility and determination“.

He said though the party had lost power at the national level, it had gained power in most of the Councils.

“We have suffered defeat at the national level but (we are) not defeated,” he noted.

Mr. Miliband said the party should be proud of the achievements made during its 13-year regime, particularly in the Middle East peace process, democratic rule in Pakistan, improving friendship with India and supporting the cause of the people of Sri Lanka.

“Modern Britain is much stronger and much more multi-cultural,” he said at the reception organised by NRI Labour MP Rt Hon Keith Vaz, Member, National Executive Committee of the party.

Leader of the Opposition, Harriett Harman was the Chief Guest.

Mass shooting in UK, 12 killed

In Britain's deadliest mass shooting since 1996, at least 12 people were killed and 25 others injured on Wednesday when a taxi driver went on a rampage in rural north-west England before turning the gun on himself.
The Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron told the House of Commons that "the government will do everything it possibly can to help the local community and those affected."
The lawmakers are "alarmed and shocked" by the shootings in the Lake District, he said.
At least 12 people have been killed and 25 others injured in 11 different locations in the Lake District, the police said.
The police have found the body of 52-year-old Derrick Bird near Boot, Cumbria. The shooting incident is described as Britain's deadliest mass shooting since 1996.
A police spokesman said, "Police have seized a gun from the scene and are now working to formally confirm the identity of the deceased and the number of people injured or dead." The gunman apparently killed himself later.
People across the popular tourist destination had earlier been cautioned to stay indoors after the shootings which began in Duke Street in Whitehaven.
At the scene of the shooting, a body lay covered by a black blanket outside a taxi rank guarded by police officers.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said, "There are a number of fatalities and police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives."
Ambulance crews are in attendance across the area. One witness said the gunman drove up alongside him at traffic lights by Whitehaven police station.
Ms Alan Hannah, 68 of Great Broughton, said "As I turned past the police station, I saw all these officers running out and realised something major was going on so I moved over to the right-hand lane.
"Then a car pulled up on the left, stopping at the lights. I saw a man with a large shotgun and his windscreen was smashed. I drove through the red light to get into Lowther Street and get out of the way. I got home safely but was very shaken."