With India focusing more on Latin America, Hamid Ansari will pay the first ever visit at the Vice Presidential level to mineral-rich Peru and Communist Cuba to strengthen bilateral ties.
The official visit, beginning tomorrow to November 2, will also take Ansari to UK where he will deliver a public lecture at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on the theme "Identity and Citizenship".
The visit to Peru is significant given the fact that it is the sixth largest economy in Latin America and the fastest growing in the region.
India is seeking greater trade and investment with Peru which is rich in minerals and hydrocarbons. The bilateral trade between India and Peru in 2012 was USD 1.68 billion and evenly balanced.
Talks for a Free Trade Agreement with Peru are expected to start soon and setting up of a Joint Commission is also being considered by the two countries. India-Peru relations have traditionally been cordial and friendly and Lima is also a member of NAM and G 77.
During his visit to Peru from October 26 to 29, Ansari will hold a comprehensive dialogue with his counterpart Marisol Espinoza Cruz, First Vice-President of Peru, and meet with Foreign Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade & Tourism. He will also call on President Ollanta Humala.
The vice-president's visit coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Peru.
He will inaugurate the Cultural Festival of India in Lima to commemorate this historic event.
