Venezuela, India decide to step up bilateral engagement

PTI

India and Venezuela today held "substantive" talks to explore deepening of ties in a range of areas including in trade and investment and hydrocarbons sector as the two countries agreed to finalise a number of key pacts including double tax avoidance agreement.

During talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, her Venezuelan counterpart Delcy Rodriguez personally handed over an invitation for India's participation in the 17th edition of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Venezuela next month.

It is understood that the invitation is for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two sides agreed to move ahead for an early finalisation of a number of agreements in different areas, including Extradition Treaty, Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) on Criminal Matters, Air Services Agreement etc, said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

About NAM, he said Swaraj underlined the importance India attaches to it, particularly as one of its founder members and confirmed India's participation.

She conveyed to Rodriguez that the details of India's participation will be worked out and intimated soon.

Earlier asked whether Modi will attend the summit, Swarup said decision on India's level of participation has not been taken yet. The last time an Indian Prime Minister stayed away from attending NAM was Chaudhary Charan Singh in 1979.

Rodriguez is here to personally hand over the invitation for India's participation at the NAM summit to be held in Margarita Island from September 17-18.

The Venezuelan Foreign Minister is accompanied by a 14- member delegation including Minister of Petroleum Eulogio del Pino and Vice Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania Felix Plasencia.

"They discussed the whole gamut of bilateral issues and views were exchanged on various multilateral issues, including UNSC Reform, UN Peacekeeping and terrorism," said Swarup.

He said it was agreed that there is huge potential on both sides on the trade front and that the basket needs to be diversified.

"India raised the issue to pending payments of both public and private sector companies with the Venezuelan side. They assured that they will look into the matter for an early solution," Swarup said adding the ministers also agreed that the next Joint Commission Meeting should be held soon in Venezuela.

A luncheon meeting was also hosted for Rodriguez by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during which both sides agreed to step up cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector.

In the cultural sector, it was agreed that programmes of symphony, film festivals and youth orchestra etc should be exchanged, Swarup said.

The Venezuelan minister invited Swaraj to visit Venezuela which she accepted, said Swarup.