NEW DELHI, AUG 27: In a bid to promote ties with Latin American countries, New Delhi is sending a high-level delegation to Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago. Led by the Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit K. Panja and accompanied by Secretary (West), R.S. Kalha and Joint Secretary, Latin American Countries (LAC) Amitava Tripathi, the delegation will discuss bilateral issues and sign agreements.Argentina is India's largest economic partner from among the Latin American countries and bilateral trade in 1999-2000 reached US $ 565 million. India's exports to Argentina comprise motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, garments and machine tools. Of late, some Argentinian companies have shown interest at the possibility of investing into India's infrastructural development and mainly in the energy sector.Panja will hold talks with Argentinian Foreign Minister Adalaberto Rodriguez Giavarini on issues of mutual interests. New Delhi will explain its postion on the Pak-sponsored cross-border terrorism, besides other issues such as signing the CTBT.Some Indian pharmacutical companies have exncountered problems regarding registration in Argentina and the minister will raise the issue during his talks with the Argentinian Health Minister Hector Jose Lombordo. The two sides will also sign an agreement on cooperation between the foreign service institutes of the two countries.Panja's visit to Trinidad and Tobago assumes importance since nearly 42 per cent of the total population of 1.3 million is of Indian origin. The Minister will meet Trinidad Prime Minister Basdeo Panday besides Foreign Minister, Ralph Maraj and leading members of the Trinidad government. Panja will also address the institution of international relations at the University of West Indies.
