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Kalam begins 3-nation 'learning trip'

By Neena Vyas

ABU DHABI (UAE) Oct. 18. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, arrived here this evening beginning a week-long tour of three nations spread over three continents — Asia, Africa and Europe. This is the first time he is travelling abroad as President.

He was received at the airport by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan — the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had to suddenly go to London for medical treatment two days ago. It was a ceremonial but quiet red carpet welcome.

After a short reception at the airport, Mr. Kalam left for a visit to a desalination water plant at Umm Al Nar and then to the Neo Pharma research and laboratory facility which has a majority Indian ownership.

In a brief interaction with the media on board the special aircraft on way to Abu Dhabi, Mr. Kalam said he viewed his tour as a "learning trip". He was looking forward to interacting with scientists, academicians, politicians, and above all students in the UAE, Sudan and Bulgaria. "I want to see the core competencies" in each of these countries and take back something so that an "exchange of ideas" can take place, he said. He hoped to strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship between these countries and India and improve economic and scientific ties to create a "win-win situation" for the countries involved in any project.

An Indian President is travelling to the UAE after a gap of over 26 years and to Sudan after 28 years. The then President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, visited Sudan in 1975 and the UAE almost two years earlier.

Speaking informally, Mr. Kalam shared his thoughts with the press. He would like to "regularly" share his experiences and views with the people too after he returned home, perhaps through All India Radio, he said.The visit to Sudan is considered important — India now has a 25 per cent equity stake in the Sudanese oil-producing field — and three bilateral agreements are expected to be signed. India has already welcomed and supported the Sudanese Government's efforts to bring about peace to the country torn by internal rebellion.

In Bulgaria, the final leg of his tour, Mr. Kalam will visit the Sofia University, interact with scientists and academicians and sign three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) — an extradition treaty, an agreement related to youth and sports, and one on exchanges in the electronics and computer software fields. There are 20 ongoing scientific projects between India and Bulgaria and the focus is expected to be on increasing trade and investments.

The Minister for Information Technology and Communications, Arun Shourie, and two MPs are accompanying Mr. Kalam.

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