India’s Vice President Hamid Ansari was on an official visit to Armenia and Poland from 24-28 April, 2017. During these visits, he held talks with leaders of the two countries and attended several events. This was his first visit to Armenia and Poland.
India signs three agreements with Armenia
In Armenia, Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari held extensive talks with the top leaders including President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian. After the talks, India signed three agreements with Armenia in the field of cultural co-operation, youth affairs and peaceful use of outer space.
- Talks were also held for establishing connectivity through direct flights between India and Armenia, liberalising visa regime for improving people-to-people contact and enhancing cooperation in agriculture sector.
- Under agreement for peaceful use of outer space, India will train Armenian scientists and will help in building satellite and remote sensing data matters.
- It is to be noted that India and Armenia are having diplomatic relations since 25 years.
Quick Facts about Armenia:
- Capital: Yerevan
- Currency: Armenian Dram
- Neighbouring Countries: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran
India, Poland ink pact on agriculture
On April 27, 2017, following formal talks between Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari and Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, India and Poland signed an agreement on the exchange of information and technology in the agriculture sector. From the Indian side, the agreement was signed by Minister of State of Small Industries Giriraj Singh.
- The two countries are keen to explore possibilities of collaboration in fields of mining, solar energy, food processing, solid waste management, and civil aviation.
- During his visit to Poland, Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari also met Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Poland supports India’s Permanent membership at UNSC
During Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari’s Poland visit, Polish leadership reiterated its support to India’s bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) issue and a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.
- NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries which are jointly working to restrict nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipments and technology required for manufacturing nuclear weapons. Currently, 48 countries, including Poland are members of NSG.
- While addressing the media in Poland, Vice President Ansari thanked Polish leadership for its support to India. He also mentioned that as a part of India-Poland cultural cooperation, Indian festivals will be celebrated in various cities of Poland.
Quick Facts about Poland:
- Capital: Warsaw
- Currency: Polish Zloty
- Neighbouring Countries: Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine
