India set to free British gun runner

The pact was inked by British Home Minister David Blunkett and Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani after they held talks on fighting shared problems such as organised crime, terrorism and illegal immigration.

"The increased co-operation of the Indian authorities will help to reduce delays in returning those who have destroyed their travel documentation," said a statement issued after the signing.

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Blunkett said ongoing exchanges between Indians and Britons were "of great value to us", pointing to the fact that 1.3 million people of Indian origin lived in Britain and that 300,000 Britons visited India each year.

"The agreement we have signed with India demonstrates our commitment to improving co-operation between our two countries on illegal immigration," said Blunkett.

"We will continue to welcome Indians travelling legitimately to Britain as visitors, students or on business, but we will take action to remove those breaking immigration rules. This means co-operation on tough law enforcement."

Advani, meanwhile, informed the visiting British home minister that India was willing to agree to a British request to free Bleach.