with the MEA. I mentioned that it was hoped that the Foreign Affairs Council would be able to sign the Agreement on 10/11 May and that time was therefore beginning to press if this important agreement were to go through as hoped. The Prime Minister told the note taker "OK, lets go ahead".
6.
Sir Michael referred to the successful visit by Prime Minister John Major. He noted that a personal base of friendship seemed to have been established and that Mr Major had been very impressed. Mr Narasimha Rao agreed and expressed his own good wishes. Sir Michael went on to refer to his own ten years in India and to his commercial interests. He had been gratified at the success of the Jaguar programme with HAL and hoped that Hawk had a good prospect of meeting India's need for an AJT. The Prime Minister said he was not quite sure what stage matters had now reached and much would depend on the commercial terms; he had certainly heard good reports of Hawk and confirmed that the atmosphere was generally favourable provided the terms were right.
7.
Sir Michael briefly raised telecommunications including the plans of C&W to link up with British Telecom for possible major investment in India. He knew the Prime Minister had a personal interest in this field also and therefore would welcome his reaction to the possibility that Lord Young might visit "you" in this connection. Mr Narasimha Rao noted the problem C&W had had over the cellular phone tender, which he thought was now likely to have been resolved. With regard to a visit by Lord Young, India was now very open to foreign investment, including the telecommunications field and a visit by Lord Young would naturally therefore be welcome.
Joe
P J Fowler