Prez lands in Spain; terror, trade on agenda

Over the next few days, India and Spain will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, but money matters – business and economy – will dominate the agenda.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who is on a two-nation tour, landed in Spain on Monday evening. Over the next few days, India and Spain will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, but money matters – business and economy – will dominate the agenda.

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The President, who will spend four days in Madrid and then go to Poland, said: “We will begin a new phase in strengthening our partnership with these two important European countries along with whom we face common challenges and the common determination to strengthen the forces of peace, security and development”.

Talking about commerce, Patil told reporters that there were “concrete opportunities” for much more trade and investment.

“I see considerable potential in our working together with Spain in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, automobiles, IT, infrastructure and science and technology,” she said.

The presidential delegation includes business leaders and representatives of industrial forums, senior officials at the foreign ministry and Rashtrapati Bhavan and three MPs.