By IANS,
New Delhi : Vice President Hamid Ansari leaves Sunday on a week-long visit to the Czech Republic and Croatia to expand India’s economic ties with the two East European countries that are set to reiterate their support for India’s claim for a place in the UN Security Council.
Ansari will be accompanied by Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot and four MPs, including former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin.
Ansari arrives in Prague Sunday evening to begin a three-day visit. He will meet Czech President Vaclav Klaus Monday and discuss ways to expand political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
With India competing for a rotating non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2011-12 for which elections will be held later this year. Ansari is set to discuss the UN reforms with Czech leaders.
Both Czech Republic and Croatia have supported India for both permanent and non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, Vivek Katju, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry, told reporters here.
The two sides are likely to sign three agreements, including pacts on economic cooperation, social security and a protocol on amending Bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement, Katju said.
Ansari, a former diplomat, will deliver a lecture on ‘Some Aspects of Global Governance in the 21st Century’ in Prague Monday afternoon.
The Czech economy is expected to recover from the recession this year and is looking at attracting more investment from India, the second fastest growing economy in the world.
The signing of social security pact will be an important step as it will enable more Indian professionals and businessmen to go to that country and assure them financial security.
Ansari will also meet the Indian community at a reception. The Czech Republic is home to some 100-odd Indian families, comprising mainly businessmen and professionals.
Ansari heads to Croatia, once part of former Yugoslavia, June 9 for a three-day trip, the first visit by an Indian leader of his stature to this country.
He will hold wide-ranging discussions with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic on a wide-range of issues, including expanding bilateral economic ties and the UN reforms. Agreements on health and medicine and a programmer on cultural exchange are expected to be signed.
Croatia, which hopes to join the EU around 2012, suffered a major contraction of its economy last year. The country’s economy is expected to record a mild recovery from recession this year.