Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 2

VISITOR'S BOOK Mauricio Macri, President of the Argentine Republic meets President and Prime Minister during his Ceremonial Welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New delhi (February 18, 2019) STATE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC TO INDIA T he President of the Argentine Republic, H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri, was on a State Visit to India from 17 to 19 February 2019. President Macri and Prime Minister Modi held offi cial talks in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both sides noted that new spheres of cooperation in areas of mutual interest have been identifi ed and modalities worked out for further strengthening and expanding the bilateral relationship between the two countries. They took note of the year-long activities planned by the two sides to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The leaders reaffi rmed the importance of parliamentary exchanges between the two democracies and welcomed regular visits of delegations between the two Parliaments. 10 MoUs/Agreements were signed in areas like defence, agriculture, space, pharmaceuticals, between Prasar Bharati and its counterpart, Antarctic cooperation, work plan on agriculture, cooperation in IT and nuclear energy. VISIT OF MINISTER FOR EUROPE, INTEGRATION AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF AUSTRIA TO INDIA D r Karin Kneissl, Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs accompanied by senior offi cials of her Ministry, visited India from 25-27 February 2019. Minister Kneissl and EAM Swaraj held cordial discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties as well as important regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Indian and Austrian interactions have been frank and substantial across political, academic and cultural spheres. Over the years, economic ties have become multifaceted with annual bilateral trade reaching around USD1.8 billion last fi nancial year. The Ministers took stock of progress made in key areas of interest such as trade and investment, education, migration and tourism. Closer cooperation in the areas of hospital and medical services, renewable energy, traditional Indian medicine and climate change has the potential of mutual benefit and positive contribution at the global level. The two Minsters consented on working together to help mobilise technology and funding for scaling up the use of clean solar power and making it aff ordable.