Press release
43
8
August 2010
Visit
of H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha
Reddy, Vice Minister, Ministry of External Affairs of India
The 5th round
of the India-Arab League Political Consultations was held in Cairo on 8 August
2010. The Indian delegation to the talks was led by H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha Reddy, Vice Minister
in the Ministry of External Affairs of India. The Arab League delegation was
led by H.E. Ambassador Hesham Youssef, Chief of the Cabinet of Arab League
Secretary General.
H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha Reddy noted that India’s
institutionalised ties with Arab League have further strengthened India’s relations
with Arab countries and recalled the exchanges that have taken place between
India and Arab League in recent years. H.E. Amb. Youssef briefed the India
delegation about the situation in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Views
were exchanged on regional and international issues of common interest. It was
agreed that regular consultations would continue between the Indian side and
the League of Arab States.
The leaders of
the two delegations affirmed that strong economic and commercial relations
formed the foundations of India-Arab relations. Events like the 2nd India-Arab
Investment Projects Conclave held in New Delhi in February 2010 have strengthened
the relations further. Functioning of the Arab-India Co-operation Forum (AICF),
established in 2008, was reviewed. The effect of global economic meltdown on
Indian and Arab economies was also discussed. Bilateral trade between India and
Arab world was more than US$ 110 billion in 2009. The two sides agreed to
further increase the scale of economic and commercial cooperation between India
and the Arab world.
Both sides
underlined the traditionally strong cultural links between India and the Arab nations.
Activities like the regular celebration of India Arab Cultural Weeks and the
organisation of a seminar on Mahatma Gandhi at the Arab League premises in
October 2009 were recalled. The preparations for the forthcoming India Arab Cultural
Week to be organised in Egypt in the first quarter of 2011 were reviewed. The
two sides affirmed to further strengthen the cultural ties between India and
the Arab world.
During her
visit, H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha
Reddy called on H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League. H.E.
Ms. Vijaya Latha Reddy
noted that India’s historical relations with Arab countries have been further
strengthened on the basis of our shared belief in anti-colonialism and
South-South cooperation. Views were also
exchanged on regional and international issues of common interest.
H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha visited the renowned
Bibliotheca Alexandrina at Alexandria on 7 August 2010 and gifted a set of books on and by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, including a facsimile copy of
the original manuscript of 'Gitanjali' to the library, to mark the
forthcoming 150th birth anniversary of Tagore which begins in 2011.
During her
visit, H.E. Ms. Vijaya Latha
Reddy called on H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Egypt. Preparations of the forthcoming Joint Commission Meeting were reviewed.
Foreign Minister Gheit underlined the importance of regular consultations and
strengthening of relations. H.E. Ms. Reddy emphasised the stabilising role of
Egypt in the Middle East and also praised its leadership of NAM. Views were
also exchanged on important regional and international issues.
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