Visit of Honorable Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma to the Republic Bolivarian of Venezuela

Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma paid a bilateral visit to Venezuela from 18-20 May, 2008.  President Chavez had undertaken a state visit to India in March 2005.   In April 2008, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas visited Venezuela for signing a Joint Venture agreement on the San Cristobal oil field.

   During the visit, MOS(AS) had detailed one to one discussions with President Chavez who expressed high regard for our Prime Minister, President and Smt. Sonia Gandhi.  He also enthusiastically conveyed Venezuela's desire to diversify ongoing bilateral relations with India. A road map for enhancing strategic and enduring cooperation between both countries in a veriety of sectors such as agriculture, energy and renewable energy, infrastructure and transfer of technology was discussed.  Venezuelan Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Petroleum, Light Industries and Commerce and Science & Technology were also present during the meeting.  After dicussions, both sides agreed to convene the next India-Venezuela Joint Commission meeting in New Delhi later this year.

  Earlier, MOS(AS) had detailed discussions with Foreign Minister, Nicolas Maduro.  During their talks, both Ministers reviewed various regional and global issues of mutual concern such as setting up of alternative financial and monetary architecture mechanism through institutions such as the Bank of South, regional development initiatives such as UNASUR and other such matters. Maduro greatly appreciated India's varied achievements in science and technology, evolving economic and political status in the world and eminent credentials for working with like minded developing countries in building a world without hegemony and distortions.

   Gamut of bilateral relations was reviewed in a luncheon meeting where Venezuelan Ministers of Culture, S & T, Education and Higher Education and Vice-Ministers of Light Industries and Commerce and Tourism also participated in the discussion.  Venezuelan side thanked India for its offer to set-up an IT Centre of Excellence in Venezuela.  They expressed keenness in stepping up cooperation in agriculture and agricultural research, S&T, ICT, pharmaceuticals and generic medicines, infrastructure and transfer of technology.

  Besides meetings with local dignitaries MOS(AS) also interacted with a cross section of the non-resident and community of Indian origin  in Venezuela.