Chopper scandal hangs visit

British Prime Minister David Cameron pays his respects at a memorial for police and uniformed personnel who lost their lives in the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai yesterday. Cameron arrived in India with what he called Britain's biggest ever overseas business delegation for a three-day visit clouded by a corruption scandal. Photo: AFP

British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in India's financial hub Mumbai yesterday on a three-day trade-focused visit clouded by a corruption scandal over British-made helicopters sold to New Delhi.
Cameron's trip comes amid a raging scandal over the procurement of 12 helicopters for use by VIPs in 2010, which were bought for $748 million from Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland.
After an investigation in Italy suggested kickbacks were paid via middlemen to secure the deal, India has taken steps to cancel the contract and has started its own police investigation.
The British prime minister is likely to face further questions about the contract -- the helicopters are being manufactured in southwest Britain -- with the Indian government keen to be seen to be acting tough on a new graft scandal.
"We did ask (Britain) in November and they said that since the Italians are investigating let us await the outcome (of that probe)," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told AFP.
After business meetings in Mumbai Cameron will fly to New Delhi for face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee today.