President APJ Abdul Kalam’s attempts of finding support for India’s claim to a UNSC seat met with success in Iceland on Monday. President Kalam began his three-day tour on Sunday. President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson announced that Reykjavik would co-sponsor the draft resolution of the G-4 nations (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan) which is to be placed for voting before the UN next month.Kalam called for a synergy between the two nations and said he felt politically ‘‘at home’’ in Iceland. To this, President Grimsson added: ‘‘New times have arrived and I think the success of this visit will give a surprise to countries like USA and others in Europe. it will be like a little wake-up call for them.’’The day was most substantive with the two Presidents opening up several avenues for scientific and economic collaborations. New Delhi’s annual trade with Reykjavik presently stands at a paltry $17 million. The two sides pledged to raise this to three figures soon. On future bilateral relations President Grimsson said, ‘‘Our ties will improve the lives of people, their health and their quality of life.’’Several initiatves were deliberated upon by high-level delegations accompanying the two Presidents. The President’s engagements included a meeting at the Icelandic-Indian Trade Council (which hardly has representation from India). Kalam also gave an address at Reykjavik University.Collaborations in the areas of space technology, pharmaceuticals, deep-sea fishing as well as exchanges in seismic predictions are anticipated. On Tuesday, the two countries are expected to sign agreements on commencement of air traffic between New Delhi and Reykjavik and foreign office consultations.During his banquet speech Kalam said both India and Iceland were committed to the UN charter, and felt there was a dire need to reform the UN structure.
