Khurshid to address envoys in Hungary

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will be addressing the annual conference of Hungarian Ambassadors, a rare honour for an Asian country, as the two sides prepare for Hungarian Prime Minister's visit to India in October.
Describing it as a "rare and special gesture", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Khurshid, who is currently on a visit to Hungary, will speak on Indian perspective and approach to foreign policy at the envoys' meet tomorrow.
"This is a singular honour. It was for the first time that a Foreign Minister from Asia was invited for this sort of opportunity," Akbaruddin said.

Khurshid in a statement released in Budapest said, relations between India and Hungary are historic, friendly and multi-faceted.
"The very fact that I have been invited to address the Annual Conference of Hungarian Ambassadors speaks of the high level of mutual trust between our two countries," he said.
The Minister added that he had an "excellent discussions" with his counterpart Janos Martonyi on all issues of bilateral, regional and international concern.

"We also agreed to closely coordinate our position on all regional and international issues," Khurshid said.
During his visit, which concludes tomorrow, Khurshid will also inaugurate a painting exhibition of Amrita Shergill, whose one parent was a Hungarian while the other Indian.

The Minister said the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to India in October is going to set a new milestone in bilateral ties.
"Several new agreements are likely to be signed further strengthening our bilateral cooperation. Warm welcome awaits Prime Minister Orban in India," he said.
Speaking about Khurshid's visit, Akbaruddin said the two sides will also be discussing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Hungary has supported India's claim for permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council. It has also been forthcoming with its support for India at the NSG for the waiver for the Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008.

Bilateral economic and commercial engagement is gradually increasing with Indian investments in Hungary reaching a record level of USD 1.5 billion, which is tilted in India's favour.
Indian companies hire about 8,000 Hungarian, Akbaruddin said.