Brown seeks to calm TV show row

Gordon Brown has met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as the Big Brother row casts a shadow over his attempts to boost bilateral relations.

The chancellor has been repeatedly asked about claims Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has been the victim of racist bullying on the UK show.

He has stressed that India and Britain are against "racism and intolerance".

An Early Day Motion penned by Keith Vaz calling on Channel 4 to take action has now been signed by 20 MPs.

Mr Brown, who hopes his trip will boost trade and strategic links, said: "We [Britain and India] are for countries that practise what we preach, which is a message of fairness and tolerance to all human beings," he said.