Lima, Peru, Oct 29: Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who is on a two-nation Latin American tour, further cemented India’s relations with Peru by establishing a Joint Commission and signing four agreements on Defence cooperation and Commerce.
Focusing on enhancing ties with Latin American countries, Vice-President Hamid Ansari along with his Peruvian counterpart Marisol Espinoza signed the agreements after midnight here yesterday in the presence of Minister of State for Human Resource Development Jitin Prasad, Indian Ambassador to Peru Manpreet Vohra and Minister for Foreign Relations of Peru Eda Rivas Franchini.
Both the nations issued Joint Statement which expressed the need for increased involvement in the field of Commerce, Investment, Defence Education, Science.
Peru has also conveyed appreciation to India for providing cooperation in the field of Education and Technology. Both the nations will extend educational scholarships programmes to each other.
Similarly, agreement on partnership in the field of defence and defence technology cooperation will be executed.
Earlier, the Vice-President in his three day tour of Peru launched the Indian Chambers of Commerce (INCHAM) at a special function jointly organised by the Embassy of India here and INCHAM. The INCHAM aims to facilitate and familiarise Indian trade and industry to do business in Peru and other countries of Latin America.
During the function, Mr Ansari also inaugurated the INCHAM website in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Peru Manpreet Vohra and President of INCHAM Ravi Krishna, senior officials and other business leaders from both India and Peru were present on the occasion.
Mr Ansari said, INCHAM will create an important link between the two countries and its business and governments.
Bilateral trade between India and Peru has seen a seven fold increase in the last five years with last year alone witnessing a 35 per cent increase. The last six months have seen a 44 per cent increase in trade compared to the last year.
Looking at the potential, Peru is becoming a an prominent partner for India in Latin America region. India and Peru are hoping to start negotiations soon for a Free Trade Agreement. Mineral- rich Peru is the fastest growing country in Latin America, the Vice-President added.
(UNI)
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