The CBI probe into the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal has received a boost with Italian prosecutors agreeing to meet the agency sleuths. According to a newspaper report, the joint Indian team comprising a CBI Deputy Inspector General and a Legal Advisor along with a senior Ministry of Defence official, will meet the Italian prosecutors today.

Meanwhile, Finmeccanica said yesterday that its UK-based subsidiary, AgustaWestland will cooperate with Indian authorities to clarify the matter.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has assured India all cooperation to probe the allegations of irregularities in the chopper deal. Speaking to the media after talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Cameron said, Britain has strong anti-bribery laws and his country will respond to any request for information from India. During the talks, Dr Manmohan Singh expressed concern over allegations of unethical practices in the deal. Dr Singh told Mr Cameron that the integrity pact has been violated in the chopper deal.