New Delhi: Vice President Hamid Ansari returned today after his five-day trip to Hungary and Algeria during which he discussed with the leadership of the two countries steps to further strengthen bilateral ties.
During the visit, both Hungary and Algeria made it clear that terrorism is a menace and it should be eradicated from the world.
During his discussions with Hungary’s President Janos Ader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other top leadership, both the countries sought a strong global legal framework and sustained global action to deal with the threat.
India and Hungary also signed two pacts, including one on water management, during the three-day trip to the central European country.
The Hungarian Prime Minister had said his country set up a working group on technology to explore the possibility of bilateral cooperation in various issues, including defence production for mutual benefits.
The Vice-President expressed India’s appreciation for the support extended by Hungary to India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime and for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
During his two-day visit to Algeria, Mr Ansari had wide ranging discussions with Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and stressed on taking the India-Algeria ties to a new level and how to “rejuvenate” the bilateral relations, officials said.
Sellal conveyed to Ansari that Algeria fully supports India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Ansari also met President of Algerian National People’s Assembly Mohamed Larbi Ould Khelifa and President of Council of Nations Abdelkader Bensalah and discussed with them various issues concerning both the countries.
Other issues like anti-terror cooperation between India and Algeria also figured in the meetings the Vice President had with the Algerian leadership.
India is keen to join hands with Algeria to explore the possibility of setting up a multi-billion dollar fertiliser project, bearing in mind the phosphatic reserve available in this North African country which is estimated to be more than 5 billion tonnes.
PTI