Indian President to visit Poland and Spain

New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI) India will seek to boost its ties
with Spain and Poland, particularly in the economic field and
fight against terror, when Indian President Pratibha Patil
undertakes a week-long visit to these important European
countries from Monday next.

This will be the first-ever State visit by an Indian
President to Spain and the fourth such visit to Poland.

She will be accompanied by Minister of State for
Industrial Policy and Promotion Ashwani Kumar and a delegation
of business leaders.

During her visit, Patil will talk about ways to enhance
cooperation in the field of economy, particularly in view of
global meltdown, and fight against terrorism.

In the first leg of the tour, she will travel to Spain.
Considering that both India and Spain are victims of
terrorism, the issue is expected to figure in the discussions.

Two to three agreements are expected to be signed between
the two countries during the four-day visit, Secretary (West)
in the Ministry of External Affairs Nalin Surie told reporters
while briefing on the visit.

After Spain, she will travel to Poland where the two
sides are expected two sign a couple of pacts.

Besides addressing business delegations from the two
countries, the President is also expected to meet Indian
community members there.

Surie said Spain is India's sixth largest export
market in the European Union, and that there was a great
potential for expanding trade and investment links between
India and European Union.

A combined business team comprising members of CII,
FICCI and ASSOCHAM will also be part of the President's
delegation.

Underlining the importance of both the countries,
which are instrumental in helping India further strengthen the
growing partnership between the country and the EU, Surie said
Spain will hold the EU Presidency in the first half of 2010 at
which time India will hold the Troika meeting at the
ministerial level. PTI PYK
PMR
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