British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday left for a key mission to China and India, his first since assuming office, aiming at improving economic and cultural ties with the two Asian giants.

The departure of the British leader was slightly delayed owing to the crash landing of an international passenger plane, short of the runway, at Heathrow Airport. Three people sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Brown is accompanied by a 22-member high-level business delegation, during the visit to China and India, his first to the Asian economic powerhouses since assuming office last year.

Apart from forging greater trade and economic ties, Brown plans to promote efforts to teach English language in both the countries.

In a statement on his website, Brown said that the British Council will set up an internet site to help learners and teachers of English.

In India, Brown said he would announce a British Council programme to recruit master trainers, who would have a goal of training 7,50,000 English teachers over the next five years.

Brown also plans to upgrade Britain's relations with India to a much higher level, on par with the United States, which he feels would benefit both countries.

The British premier, accompanied by his wife Sarah, will reach New Delhi on Sunday.

Brown will have extensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Sunday night, when the Indian leader hosts a dinner in his honour, and the next day, when they will attend the fourth India-UK business Summit.

During his parleys with Singh, Brown will discuss measures to bring Britain and India even closer and step up trade investment. Climate change, education, technology transfer were among other subjects that would figure prominently during their talks.

Meanwhile, airport sources said that passengers escaped down the emergency chutes, after British Airways flight BA38 from Beijing [Images] made an emergency landing. Six ambulances were sent to the spot and three people were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Eyewitnesses said the plane's wheels collapsed and doors were flown open when it crash landed