At the ASEM summit, Hamid Ansari had cautioned the western world against using non-traditional protectionist measures as part of stimulus to revive their economies.
Vice-president Hamid Ansari today returned home after a two-day visit to Belgium during which he attended the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) which made a strong call for reform of the International Monetary Fund.
At the ASEM summit, Ansari had cautioned the western world against using non-traditional protectionist measures as part of stimulus to revive their economies.
"The fact that some of these measures are focused on services and manufacturing sectors where developing economies tend to have a comparative advantage, adds to the problem," he had said in his address to the summit on Monday.
On the sidelines of the ASEM, Ansari also got an opportunity to interact with the leaders of the European Union, Greece, Latvia, Finland and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razzak of Malaysia.
He also held discussions with European Council President Herman Von Rompuy and Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme.
Ansari's discussions with the European leaders assume significance as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Brussels in December for the India-EU Summit.
His interactions with Malaysia's Najib are significant as Singh travels there for a bilateral visit later this month.
Ansari's participation in ASEM summit gave India an opportunity to plug into the developments taking place globally in tackling the crises.
Significantly, this summit took place ahead of the G-20 meeting where the thrust is expected on exploring better ways to manage the world economy.
Ansari also discussed the issue of a free trade agreement between India and EU during his meeting with European Council President Herman von Rompuy.
India and the European Union hope to conclude the free trade agreement well in time for their summit meeting scheduled to be held in Brussels in December, as the two sides believe the India-Europe FTA could help put the commercial ties between the two continents on a faster track.
Ansari also met Finland Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi, who welcomed Indian investments in clean energy, ICT, forests and education sectors. He also met Latvian President Valdis Zatlers.
Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou, during a meeting with Ansari, had sought India's cooperation in the shipping sector that is a key revenue earner as the southeastern European nation tackles a debt-ridden economy.
The vicepresident also held discussions with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, who thanked India for its active participation in the ASEM preparations
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}