March 5, 2005
Governments of Venezuela and India gave Joint Declaration

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - "This Joint Declaration says that 'by invitation of India's President, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez Frías is on a State visit to India, from the 4th to the 7th of April 2005' and it highlights that 'this is the first bilateral visit from a Venezuelan President to India'.

The Declaration also described the official activities of Venezuelan President during his stay in New Dehli, India, including meetings with President Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shri Natwar Singh, and Oil & Gas Minister Shri Mani Shanker Aiyar.

The Joint Declaration expressed high officials of both countries had the opportunity to exchange opinions on issues of common interest, both domestic and international affairs, and says 'they agreed to work together in several forums like the Group of Non Aligned, G-15, G-77, United Nations, World Commerce Organisations, etc. Both parties emphasized on the need to reinforce the Non Aligned Movement in order for it to be a great bloc in the multipolar world; participative, pragmatic and representative of the southern countries.

Finally, there is a clear intention from Venezuela to support India as a candidate to be member of the United Nations Security Council.

Hydrocarbons, biotechnology, science and space technology

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of India signed several agreements. One was signed for the creation of a High Level Commission and the rest included hydrocarbons, biotechnology, railway modernization and Space Science and Technology.

These agreements were signed during President Chávez 's official visit to the Asian country, which included activities in New Dehli, Calcuta and Bangalore.

The purpose of the agreement for the implementation of a Bilateral High Level Commission is to increase mutual knowledge and trust, as well as collaboration between the two countries. This Commission will also show the strong bond between Venezuela and India in areas of political, economical, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.

The hydrocarbons agreement seeks mutual cooperation in areas of liquid and gas hydrocarbons and its derived products, as well as investigation, development, refining, marketing, transport and human resources.

The purpose of the Space Science and Technology Memorandum is to 'cooperate combining efforts, as well as technical, financial and human resources' between Venezuela and India for the realization of cooperation projects in areas of exploration and utilization of ultra terrestrial spaces for peaceful purposes'.

The purpose of the letter of intention between the Venezuelan Public Rail Autonomous Institute (IAFE) and Ircon International, which is a company of the Rail Ministry of India, is to the modernise, built railways for the National Rail Plan. India 'offers industrial capabilities and expertise to develop railing works and other infrastructure projects, making technological exchange possible between the governments of Venezuela and India' by signing this document".