Iran could do more to help secure its border with Afghanistan and boost its neighbour's economy, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in an interview published Saturday.
She called for Iran to step up its efforts in assisting Afghanistan in dealing with a Taliban-led insurgency.
"I know the government of Afghanistan and governments in the region have concerns about the role Iran is playing," Beckett told Britain's Financial Times business newspaper.
Quizzed on whether Britain was worried about Iran's stance on the insurgency, she said Tehran could have "a much more positive role than it seems to be playing at the present time."
British officials say Tehran could be more effective in halting Taliban-associated drug traffickers from crossing the border, the FT said.
Beckett is in India on a five-day visit for talks mostly based on tackling terrorism and climate change.