New Delhi: India and Uruguay are exploring avenues to increase cooperation in areas like industry, infrastructure and information technology.
The issues came up for discussion during the four-day visit by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar which concluded yesterday.
The 5-member delegation led by her held talks with Danilo Astori, the President of the Senate and Vice President of Uruguay, and Luis Lacalle Pou, the President of the House of representatives, a release from Lok Sabha secretariat said. During the visit, Kumar stressed upon strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries and complimented Uruguay for its 9 per cent growth despite global economic recession.
Astori emphasised the importance of direct contact at various levels between the two countries especially in sectors such as infrastructure and information technology.
The visit also saw the formation of India-Uruguay Friendship Group in the Uruguayan Parliament consisting of 10 members drawn from both Houses there. In Indian Parliament, the friendship group consisting of 21 members had been formed earlier. During the interaction with leaders of the host country, Kumar profusely used Spanish language striking instant connect with them.
A former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Kumar was posted in Spain where she got a chance to fine-tune her Spanish skills.
Astroi and Pou thanked the Indian Parliamentary delegation for the visit noting that such tours were very useful for further deepening and strengthening of ties, the statement said.
Pou hoped that Uruguay could be a base for setting up industrial units by Indian companies, which may facilitate future expansion in other countries in Latin America. PTI