Cameron deals with corruption claims during India trip

On the second day of his trade mission to India, Mr Cameron promised to provide any information requested by the Indian authorities.

The corruption allegations relate to a deal to supply the Indian air force with helicopters made by AgustaWestland, which is owned by Italian firm Finmeccanica.

India has suspended payments under the £480m contract following the arrest last week of Finmeccanica chairman and chief executive Giuseppe Orsi and AgustaWestland chief executive Bruno Spagnolini on corruption and tax fraud charges.

‘Very serious concerns’

During a new conference in New Delhi, Manmohan Singh said he had “conveyed to the prime minister our very serious concerns regarding allegations about unethical means used in securing the 2010 contract for AgustaWestland helicopters”.

He added that he had sought an explanation from the company by Friday.

Mr Cameron said: “In terms of AgustaWestland, we will respond to any request for information. I am glad that the Italian authorities are looking into this issue in detail, as Finmeccanica is an Italian company.”

He added that Britain had introduced “anti-bribery legislation that is probably the strongest anywhere in the world and we will root out any problems of bribery and corruption wherever and whenever they appear”.

Cyber security

The two leaders agreed closer co-operation over cyber security, which is expected to see the establishment of a joint taskforce to share information on malicious IT attacks from criminal gangs, terrorists and state agents.

They also signed a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear co-operation, with a role for firms like Rolls-Royce in India’s nuclear power programme.

Mr Singh said he had sought reassurances from Mr Cameron over visas for Indians travelling to Britain. On Monday, Mr Cameron said he was launching a speedy, same-day visa for business people from India.

Mr Cameron is hoping to double Britain’s trade with India from £11.5bn in 2010 to £23bn by 2015.

It is currently £16.4bn and the prime minister said today that the government wa “on track” to meet the target.

The figures here show that while Britain was the third biggest exporter to India in 2001, it had fallen to 21st by 2011.

During this period, oil-producing countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia increased their exports to India, as Delhi’s dash for growth gathered pace.

But Switzerland and Germany managed to retain their places among the biggest exporters.

In terms of imports from India, Britain remains one of the country’s major trading partners.

In cash terms, trade with India rose substantially over the decade.