Premier Ewart Brown has spoken about Bermuda's link-up with India in an interview with business daily The Economic Times.

The English-language Indian newspaper carried a feature explaining how the Premier hopes a "full-fledged relationship in financial services with India" could help the Island's economy overcome difficulties in international business and tourism.

Dr. Brown told the publication the proposed Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with India would also help address that country's concerns over round-tripping through low tax jurisdictions.

As well as attempting to lure Bollywood film-makers to Bermuda, the article also referred to "medical tourism"; Dr. Brown is behind controversial plans to open a stem cell clinic on the Island.

"Bermuda never had a significant flow of tourists from India," he's reported as saying. And he is quoted on the subject of President Barack Obama's proposed crackdown on so-called tax havens: "We are closely watching the developments in the US.

"If there are any steps taken in 2010, I believe there will be changes that the industry in Bermuda will live with and still do well. But I do not know if investments from the US would decline."

The article concludes: "Will India respond to full-fledged financial services agreement with Bermuda? Perhaps, Dr. Brown's counterpart in India only has the answer."