Visit to India of His Excellency Mr. Alcides Daniel Rondón Rivero, Vice Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania in the Ministry of External Relations of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ,

21-23 May 2006

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H.E. Mr. Alcides Daniel Rondón Rivero, Vice Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania, in the Ministry of External Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , made a bilateral visit to India on 21 – 23 May 2006 as part of an ongoing series of bilateral visits between both countries to consolidate friendly relations.

During his visit, the Vice Minister and his delegation met with H.E. Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of the Republic of India . Both Ministers discussed items of mutual interest such as trade and economic cooperation and the excellent political relationship, and matters of mutual interest in the multilateral sphere.

Vice Minister Rondon called on His Excellency Mr. Murli Deora, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, and discussed India 's interest in furthering relations between the two countries in the area of energy. India is not only a large and growing market for oil and gas, but also has a dynamic presence, through its public and private enterprises in several countries worldwide, as well as in Venezuela .

Vice Minister Rondon addressed a conference titled “ Recent Developments in Latin America and their Implications for Regional and Global Politics , with an audience comprising of academicians, intellectuals, journalists and others, at the prestigious Indian Council for World Affairs in New Delhi . After the conference, there was a lively interaction between the audience and the Minister.