New Delhi, Oct 10 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari left on a five-day visit to Turkey today to reinforce the close, traditional and historical friendship between both countries.
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik, Members of Parliament Sitaram Yechury, Ranjitsingh Vijaysinh Patil, Vijay Pal Singh and Ingrid McLeod are accompanying Ansari on his visit.
Senior officials such as Shumsher Sheriff, Secretary to the Vice President, and Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Special Secretary (Public Diplomacy) from the Ministry of External Affairs are also accompanying the Vice-President.
"Vice-President's visit will provide an additional impetus and momentum towards further consolidation and strengthening of the broad-based, multifaceted and comprehensive partnership between India and Turkey in areas of mutual interest to mutual benefit. This would also reinforce the close traditional and historical friendship between both countries," said M. Ganapathi, Secretary (West), External Affairs Ministry.
"India's relations with Turkey have a historical bearing. The links between both countries are civilisational, encompassing architecture, arts, language and cuisine. Both countries understand each other well drawing their inspiration from their historical connections and the long association between the leaders and the peoples of two countries," he added.
"In the economic and commercial area we see Turkey as among our important partners in the region today. Two-way trade between the two countries touched 4 billion dollars in 2010 of which India's exports were of the order of 3.4 billion dollars and imports from Turkey into India accounted for 606 million dollars," he said.
"More than 112 Indian companies have registered their business in Turkey with investments in areas ranging from infrastructure and automobiles to IT and consultancy services," he added.
Ansari will first visit Turkish capital Ankara where he will hold delegation-level talks with Speaker of the Turkish National Assembly Camil Cicek and other lawmakers.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will receive Ansari. The Vice President is also expected to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest to the two countries is to be covered during the visit.
Ansari will also pay homage at the memorial of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Ankara and will also visit the provinces of Konya and Nevsesir.
Ansari will address a Business Forum at the Turkish Chamber of Businessmen and Industrialists in Istanbul.
While in Konya, Ansari will be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate for International Relations by the Mevlana University. (ANI)
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