Post by Focus on Feb 19, 2013 12:20:54 GMT
More Indian students are to be encouraged to come to the UK with the offer of new scholarships to a top university, it was announced today.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) said it will be offering 50 scholarships for Indian postgraduates, starting this autumn.
The announcement comes the day after Prime Minister David Cameron used a visit to India to insist that there is 'no limit' on the number of Indians who can study at UK universities, or take up graduate-level jobs after qualifying.
More visas : A new scheme for Indian graduates has been set up today as David Cameron and Indian PM Manmohan Singh met for talks in New Delhi today
LSE said today its new India Scholarships will allow students to study for a Master's degree at the institution.
The awards will be worth between £3,000 and £32,000, depending on need, and are open to students with the offer of a place to study for a Master's at the LSE by April 30.
LSE director Professor Craig Calhoun, who is travelling with Mr Cameron in India, said: 'We want to ensure that LSE's doors are open to all talented students, regardless of financial circumstances, and are delighted to cement this relationship further by offering 50 scholarships, for graduate study, for students from India.'
It came as during a second day of talks Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voiced 'serious concerns' to David Cameron today over corruption allegations relating to the sale of Westland helicopters to his country’s air force, as the two men met for talks in New Delhi.
India suspended payments under the £480 million 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.
Sitting alongside Mr Cameron following their talks at Hyderabad House today, Mr Singh said: 'I conveyed to the Prime Minister our very serious concerns regarding allegations about unethical means used in securing the 2010 contract for AgustaWestland helicopters.
Pledge : The London School of Economics has promised to fund the places of 50 Indian post-graduates to boost academic links
'I told him that we have sought an explanation from the company by February 22 to examine if the contractual conditions on unethical practices and the integrity pact have been violated.
'I have sought full assistance from the UK in this case. Prime Minister David Cameron has assured me of the co-operation of his Government in the investigation.'
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.
'In Britain, we have 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.'
David Cameron has renewed speculation about his tendency to ‘chillax’ on the job as he broke off his trade trip to India to play cricket yesterday.
The Prime Minister began his visit with the biggest business delegation in history by revealing that he stays sane by having a good night’s sleep and employing good staff to do the work for him.
He also claimed he would be watching Bollywood films on the flight out.
Breaktime : The Prime Minister took some time out from talks to bat at Mumbai's Oval Maidan yesterday just hours after he confessed he has no time for the workaholic habits of his predecessors
Success : Mr Cameron scored several runs before being cleaned bowled in a game he appeared to enjoy
Yesterday : The Prime Minister also laid a wreath at the memorial to commemorate the policemen who were killed in the terrorist attacks of November 2008, in Mumbai
The Indian leader stressed the importance of education, science and trade in enhancing relations between the two countries.
He said: 'I impressed upon the Prime Minister the need for a visa regime that facilitates greater movement of people between the two countries.'
In today’s talks, Mr Singh and Mr Cameron agreed closer co-operation between the UK and India 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 -- WHY??? - Fx