(Cont.)

The Argentine President welcomed Indian entrepreneurs stating that they will find a conducive environment for productive investment and skilled human resources. The Indian Prime Minister acknowledged the growing importance of Argentine business in India. Both sides welcomed the increasing contacts among their entrepreneurs which stress the ample business opportunities that exist.
Both leaders have recognized that trade and economic relations underpin bilateral relations.

In recognition of the need for fully realizing the untapped potential of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Argentina, both countries have agreed, through exchange of formal communication between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, to facilitate on reciprocity basis, five years multiple entry gratis visas for businessmen of each other’s country. The Indian side welcomed the fact that the Argentine Consulate General and Trade Promotion Centre in Mumbai is already fully operational reflecting Argentina’s decision to increase its presence in the Indian market and opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs from both nations.

Both sides also noted the opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as science and technology, agriculture, small and medium enterprises and agro-based industries, mining and hydrocarbons and civilian nuclear cooperation. They agreed to enhance direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries, including through participation in trade/commercial exhibitions in both countries as well as through contacts between regions and cities of the two countries.

Argentina and India, as active countries with a long tradition in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, also reiterated their intention to develop, promote and cooperate in this field in accordance with their respective international obligations and commitments. They will make use of the synergies existing between the two countries and the vast experience of their nuclear scientists and technologists.

Underlining the importance of bilateral cooperation in culture and education for promoting greater understanding and closer friendship between India and Argentina, both sides agreed to explore possibilities for cooperation in this area including by the establishment of linkages between each other’s Universities and think tanks.

The two leaders expressed support for closer bilateral cooperation in the area of energy and for the utilization of renewable and alternative energy sources and respective technologies as a basis for sustainable development and as part of the global effort in addressing the challenges of Climate Change.

The two leaders shared the view that civil nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting rising global demands for energy. Taking into account their respective capabilities and experience in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy both India and Argentina have agreed to encourage and support scientific, technical and commercial cooperation for mutual benefit in this field.

Both sides noted that the India-MERCOSUR PTA has come into force with effect from June 2009. They agreed that the operationalization of the PTA will further facilitate trade and improve market access between India and MERCOSUR. The two sides reiterated the desire of India and Argentina to widen and deepen the PTA.

The leaders welcomed the signature of several agreements in their presence as a testimony of the quality change observed in their mutual relations. They also encouraged ongoing negotiations in several fields to conclude successfully

The two leaders exchanged views on a broad range of regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as issues of global concern such as the current global financial crisis, human rights, countering terrorism, climate change, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, promoting sustainable development, addressing the environmental challenges and strengthening the social dimension of globalization.

The Indian and Argentine sides emphasized the essential role of the UN for maintaining global peace and security, for promoting the economic and social advancement of all people and for meeting global threats and challenges. India and Argentina stressed the need to implement the process of UN reforms to make it more representative, legitimate and effective. Moreover, they agreed that any expansion and restructuring of the Security Council must reflect contemporary realities, increase transparency and democracy and include developing countries.

Both parties agreed on the need to give a new impulse to multilateral negotiations in the area of disarmament, especially weapons of mass destruction. (ANI)