India has 'some very difficult neighbours', says Chancellor George Osborne during visit to Mumbai

George Osborne risked causing a diplomatic stir today by backing Britain selling weapons to India to defend itself against “some very difficult neighbours”.

The Chancellor did not identify which countries he was referring to but India has borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Burma. India and Pakistan have clashed for decades over territory in the Kashmir region.

Mr Osborne made the comments at the start of a three-day visit to India with William Hague. Questioned about why Britain was selling arms to a country with such widespread poverty, he told the BBC: “India has real security issues. It has got some very difficult neighbours.”

He stressed he wanted India to be able to defend itself with the “very best of the British defence industry”.