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Britain renews defence ties with Pakistan

K J M Varma in Islamabad

In major concessions for supporting the fight against terrorism, Britain on Friday announced renewal of defence cooperation with Pakistan, suspended since the 1998 nuclear tests, and said Islamabad had a valid interest in a broad-based post-Taleban government in Afghanistan.

After an hour-long meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, British Prime Minister Tony Blair also promised to help Islamabad with a fresh package of assistance, including aid from the Internation Monetary Fund.

Britain would also support steps in the European Union for trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan on which an agreement is likely on Monday, Blair told reporters with Musharraf by his side.

Blair, who later left for New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on terrorism, said Britain and Pakistan had agreed that any post-Taleban government in Afghanistan must be broadbased and include all key ethnic groups, including Pashtoons.

PTI

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