 |
|
|
 News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2007 
Calderon Arrives in India for Three-Day Visit
 Agence France-Presse
go to original
| | Mexican President Felipe Calderon (L) met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (R) at the beginning of a three-day visit expected to focus on boosting trade between the two emerging economies. (AFP) |
New Delhi — Mexican President Felipe Calderon met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday at the beginning of a three-day visit expected to focus on boosting trade between the two emerging economies.
"I am quite sure we will have a better friendship after this meeting," a smiling Calderon, flanked by Singh and Indian President Pratibha Patil, told reporters in New Delhi ahead of the talks.
The Mexican president added that greater cooperation between the two countries was possible "not only on economic issues but also in terms of politics, in terms of foreign policy."
Calderon's visit marks the first by a president from the Latin American country to India in over two decades.
"India and Mexico are two ancient civilisations but our contemporary contacts have not been as intense as they should be," said Singh. "This visit gives us the opportunity to think big."
Calderon is on his first tour of the Asia-Pacific region since taking office in 2006. The Mexican leader was in New Zealand and Australia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at the weekend.
Calderon, who is travelling with his wife Margarita Zavala, is accompanied by his ministers for foreign affairs and economics, as well as a business delegation of over 100 people, India's foreign ministry said.
The Mexican leader will meet Indian industry leaders later Monday.
Bilateral trade between the two nations stands at 1.8 billion dollars, with India exporting engineering goods, drugs and textiles to Mexico and mainly buying crude oil in return.
"Trade between India and Mexico has been growing rapidly in recent years," the Indian foreign ministry said, adding the first meeting of a high-level group to foster bilateral trade and investment would be held Monday.
"Bilateral relations are now being re-energised and cooperation being expanded."
Ministers from the two countries signed three accords -- a pledge to cooperate in crime investigations including those related to terrorism, an extradition treaty and a double-taxation avoidance agreement.
Before heading to a working meeting with Singh, Calderon visited the memorial of Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi.
After a day of meetings in the capital, Calderon will head to India's financial hub Mumbai and outsourcing centre Bangalore before departing Wednesday. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us