By IANS,
New Delhi : India will set up an Information Technology Centre of Excellence in Venezuela as part of its effort to ramp up bilateral ties.
This offer was made during the visit by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, who was in Venezuela from May 18 to 20.
The ministry of external affairs said that the Venezuelan side “thanked” India and expressed keenness in stepping up cooperation in agriculture and agricultural research, Science and Technology, Information Communication Technology, pharmaceuticals and generic medicines, infrastructure and transfer of technology.
During the visit, Sharma had “detailed one to one discussions” with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who “enthusiastically conveyed Venezuela’s desire to diversify ongoing bilateral relations with India”.
Both sides agreed to convene the next India-Venezuela Joint Commission meeting in New Delhi later this year.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and Sharma talked about setting up an alternative financial and monetary architecture mechanism through institutions such as the Bank of South, regional development initiatives such as Union of South American Nations.
“Maduro greatly appreciated India’s varied achievements in science and technology, evolving economic and political status in the world and eminent credentials for working with like minded developing countries in building a world without hegemony and distortions,” said the MEA statement.