GENEVA: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrived here on Wednesday on the second leg of his four-nation tour, in what is the first visit by an Indian President to the country in over three decades.

As has been the trend during this three-day visit to Russia, the focus of Mr. Kalam's sojourn here would be on science and technology, including a visit to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Switzerland has declared May 26 as science day in honour of the President. The visit to CERN assumes significance in the wake of New Delhi's quest for access to nuclear technology and its plans for cooperation with one of the most advanced laboratories in the world.

The significance of the event is also marked by the arrival of Anil Kakodar, Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission. Arriving here from St. Petersburg, Mr. Kalam had a round of meetings with captains of Swiss industry.

Switzerland is the 13th largest trading partner of India and ranks 16th in terms of approved investment. Bilateral trade, excluding gold, between the two countries stood at $ 1.3 billions, which is in favour of Switzerland. The Indian Government has approved 868 foreign collaboration proposals from Switzerland with a foreign direct investment element of $ 956.60 millions. Mr. Kalam also interacted with Indian children ahead of his visit to CERN. He would stay here till Sunday.

Earlier, during his three-hour stay at St. Petersburg, the President visited the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. While interacting there, Mr. Kalam suggested that the Institute cooperate with India, which plans to set up a station in the Antarctic region to mark the silver jubilee of the first Indian mission to the area.

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