Ansari to visit Peru, Cuba

As part of India's efforts to boost ties with Latin America, Vice President Hamid Ansari will be visiting Peru and Cuba from October 26 to 30.
The visit is expected to give impetus to India's relations with the two countries and some agreements, including one for setting up a Joint Commission with Peru, are likely to be signed during the visit.
Ansari's visit will be the first state visit to mineral- rich Peru in 15 years while it will be the first VVIP visit to Cuba, with which India has deep, enduring and historical relations.
"There are a number of things in the pipeline", Secretary (West) Dinkar Khullar said when asked about the possibility of signing of agreements between the two countries.

Talks are on between India and Peru on the issue of setting up of a Joint Commission and with Cuba on the issue of exemption for diplomatic visa.
With Peru being the sixth largest economy in Latin America and the fastest growing in the region, India is seeking greater trade and investment with it. Peru is rich in minerals and hydrocarbons.

A highlight of the visit to Lima is that a mini Festival of India is being held there.
To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Peru earlier this year, Peru has issued Joint Issue stamps depicting the Machu Picchu mountains and the Taj Mahal, the 7 wonders of the respective countries. The Machu Pichhu was the Lost City of the Incas.

Ansari will be in Cuba on October 29 and 30. He will be meeting President Raul Castro. India and Cuba are among the founding members of the Non-aligned Movement.
Later, the Vice President will be also visiting the United Kingdom where he will deliver a lecture on "Citizenship and Identity" at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.