British Prime Minister David Cameron, on a trade-mission to India, is defending comments he made accusing Pakistan of promoting the "export of terror."
In New Delhi Thursday, Mr. Cameron said he did not mean to offend Pakistan by the remarks he made a day earlier. But, he added, he thinks it is "important to speak frankly and clearly about these issues."
Pakistani foreign ministry officials rejected Mr. Cameron's remarks Wednesday. A ministry spokesman criticized him for relying on unverified information from recently published U.S. documents alleging Pakistani links to Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
Mr. Cameron is expected to discuss security issues with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil during talks on Thursday.
His trip so far has been mostly trade-related, and has produced a number of business deals between Indian and British firms.
India agreed to deals worth $1.1 billion with British companies BAE and Rolls Royce for 57 Hawk trainer jets and their engines. Another agreement will allow British companies to export civil nuclear technology to India.
Britain is hoping to boost its own economy, struggling to recover from recession, by increasing trade with India.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP, and Reuters.