President Pratibha Patil on Thursday left Spain for Poland after a three-day state visit to Spain.
President Pratibha Patil on Thursday left Spain for Poland after a three-day state visit to Spain during which three agreements to enhance bilateral ties were inked and the two sides agreed to work on a comprehensive strategy to tackle terrorism.
Patil, who is the first Indian head of the state to visit Spain, left for the Polish capital Warsaw after holding wide ranging talks with Spanish King Juan Carlos and prime
minister Jose Luis Rodrigeuz Zapatero.
Indian delegation accompanying the president expressed "satisfaction" and described the visit as "highly successful". During Patil's visit progress was made to boost bilateral ties in all spheres.
The delegation members said the aim to convince Spain to look at India as destination for investment was achieved with Spanish leaders eager to take all measures to strengthen the ties and there was a "total convergence of opinion" between India and Spain on the issues that came up for discussion.
Quoting the Spanish prime minister as saying that "Spain has to now conquer India", secretary (West) in ministry of external affairs Nalin Surie said it shows the importance
and the willingness on the part of both India and Spain to qualitatively enhance the relationship.
The level of commitment shown by King Carlos I and prime minister Zapatero towards the issues raised by Patil, who made a strong call for increase in bilateral trade, has
set the ball rolling for officials to work out the modalities to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.
India also informed Spain of its concern on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and asserted the need for stability in its neighbourhood. During the meetings, both sides agreed
that they should formulate comprehensive bilateral strategy against terrorism.
Spain, like India, is a victim of terrorism facing Basque insurgency problem and had also witnessed a massive attack on its railway network in 2004.
Spain looks at China for its major investments in Asia and India's aim was to attract their attention towards it as its economy is stable even in this time of global financial
crisis, the officials in the presidential delegation said.
During the visit, both sides signed three agreements pertaining to tourism, renewable energy and agriculture that provided for basic framework in these areas and were aimed at technological expertise and investment inflow.
India had also raised the issue of facilitating easy access for Indian tourists to the European country and there was general agreement that Spain will take steps to do so, the officials maintained.
Patil would also tour the Polish city of Krakow during her three-day state visit to the country.
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