Bermuda's MPs and civil servants could be heading to India to improve their technical know-how after Premier Ewart Brown was offered a deal by an Indian Minister.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor raised the suggestion during a luncheon meeting with Dr. Brown on his four-day tour of the South Asian country this week.

Speaking briefly from India yesterday as he prepared for the long flight back to Bermuda, the Premier told The Royal Gazette the invitation would be part of a technical assistance agreement, a method used by countries to share knowledge and research in certain fields.

Dr. Brown said it could involve Bermudians — including MPs and civil servants — attending courses in subjects such as IT and medicine in India.

"It was a pleasant surprise," said the Premier. "Anybody who had an interest, civil servants, MPs, would have an opportunity to come here (India) for a month or two and gain experience which can only do good."

The Premier described the offer as a highlight of his visit, which was designed to strengthen business and tourism connections.

He said another success was a link-up with Bollywood film producers, whom he said are very interested in coming to Bermuda to assess its credentials as a host for movies.

Dr. Brown, who has signed a second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Film Federation of India to promote film shoots on the Island, described the development as "tremendously exciting".

He said North American film-makers had always shown an interest in Bermuda, but their model is not suited to the Island; however Bollywood's different approach could work.

According to the Premier, this would bring jobs to Bermudians, as well as giving exposure to the Island to more than 20 million Indians outside India who are said to be avid fans of the Indian film industry.

A dinner guest who joined the Premier this week was leading Indian filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. According to a statement on behalf of the Premier, the filmmaker believes that an Indian movie could be shot in Bermuda and he has promised to visit Bermuda shortly.

Premier Dr. Brown also addressed about 40 CEOs at the Confederation of Indian Industry and 300 lawyers and accountants at a conference at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India earlier in the week.