British PM's visit to India marred by helicopter scandal
Cameron's arrival concides with a probeinto sale of Anglo-Italian helicoptersto New Delhi
British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in India on Monday with what he called Britain's biggest ever overseas business delegation for a three-day visit clouded by a corruption scandal.
His trip comes amid a raging controversy over India's 2010 procurement of 12 helicopters from Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland in a US$748 million (HK$5.8 billion) deal.
After an investigation in Italy suggested kickbacks were paid via middlemen to secure the deal, India has taken steps to cancel the contract and started its own police investigation.
The British prime minister is likely to face further questions about the probe - the helicopters, for use by VIPs, are being manufactured in southwest Britain - with the Indian government keen to be seen to be acting tough on its latest problems.
It has taken the gloss off Cameron's second trip to India since being elected in 2010. He arrived pressing for deeper economic ties between the two countries which are united by their colonial history.
"I've brought with me the biggest ever business delegation to leave Britain shores and I'm really proud to be bringing them here, to meet with Indian businesses and to link up our countries," he said on Monday.