The Hindu : National : India, Iceland sign two pacts

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Wednesday, Jun 01, 2005

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India, Iceland sign two pacts

K.V. Prasad

REYKJAVIK: India and Iceland on Tuesday signed bilateral agreements, one envisaging regular air services and a memorandum of understanding on foreign office consultations.

The agreements were signed in the presence of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Iceland Prime Minister Halldor Asgrimsson here.

Though the details were not made public, the one on air services is expected to provide 14 flights a week connecting two cities in each country, official sources said.

The agreement on air services elaborates on aspects such as route schedule, self-handling and allowing the aeronautical authorities of both countries to cooperate. The Indian Ambassador, Mahesh Sachdev, signed the documents on behalf of New Delhi, while Olafur Egilsson, Ambassador of Iceland, signed it on behalf of Reykjavik.

Mr. Sachdev told The Hindu that Mr. Kalam's visit would lead to increased visibility of India in this country and produce discussions on earthquake prediction, geo-thermal energy application, deep-sea fishing and pharmaceuticals. He said the visit also led to creation of bodies like the Icelandic India Trade Council. The MoU on foreign office consultations elaborates on establishing formal structure for regular and periodic consultations between two foreign ministries at the Secretary level.

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