The stability of Afghanistan will help contribute to the stability and security in the wider region. We appreciate all that the Indian government has done to help the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

Another example is Nepal. Here India, the UK and others, along with an effective, valuable UN mission, are working to support a fragile political process and to avert what would be a disastrous collapse into internal armed conflict.

India and the UK are well placed to take a lead — we are among the few countries who maintain well-resourced embassies in Kathmandu and who are also able encourage wider international engagement. I am keen to see this partnership continue, to help Nepal move peacefully towards elections to a Constituent Assembly, which have twice been postponed; the collapse of the political process in Nepal would be very bad news, not least for India.

It is because our own interests are so similar that I am so keen that India and the UK should more and more instinctively look to each other as natural partners in pursuing our respective goals. I look forward to discussing all these and other issues with those I meet here this week.

The writer is minister for Asia, Africa, the United Nations and human rights at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office