Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto, who is on a three-day visit to India, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here today, during which both leaders expressed satisfaction at the increasing trade between the two countries.
Sources said that the two Foreign Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views, during which Swaraj recalled Szijjarto's visit to Mumbai in May last year and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to India in October 2013.
She thanked Hungary for its support to India's membership of MTCR and NSG. Both sides agreed that the tradition of high level visits should be maintained and there should be more Parliamentary exchanges, said sources.
Foreign Minister Szijjarto also mentioned the 60th anniversary of celebrations of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and said that it was planning to recognize the positive role played by India at that time.
On the economic front, both sides expressed satisfaction at the increasing trade which had touched US$ 600 mn. Foreign Minister Szijjarto positively assessed Indian investment in Hungary which had reached US dollars 2 bn and was providing employment to more than 10,000 people.
Currently, around 15 companies from India including Apollo Tyres, TCS, WIPRO, Mahindra Satyam, SMR Group and Sun Pharma were active in Hungary.
EAM Swaraj said both countries should widen cooperation in IT education, innovation and Research & Development.
The two ministers also discussed the prospects of India-EU BTIA (Broadbased Trade and Investment Agreement) in the wake of Brexit.
Sources said that the two ministers also discussed cultural, educational and Science and Technology Cooperation. The EAM expressed appreciation for Hungary's cooperation in celebrating the first ever Ganga - Danube Cultural Festival and the second International Day of Yoga which was attended by Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma.
Government of Hungary has established a Hungarian Room at Tagore House in Kolkata and is prepared to set up an India Centre and Hindi teaching facility in the University of Budapest.
A Joint India -Hungary Science and Technology Fund of Euro 2 million has been created to promote research in agriculture, pharma, nanotechnology and molecular biology.
They also discussed defence cooperation and Hungary's participation in 'Make in India'.
The two ministers also discussed multilateral issues including reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) (Hungary supports India as a permanent member in a reformed UNSC) and the election of the new Secretary General of the United Nations. They also exchanged views on the recent spate of terror attacks and the need for adoption of the CCIT.
