India hopes to consolidate support from members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which at present is exploring the possibility of allowing non-NPT (Nuclear Proliferation Treaty) signatory countries like India to become a member of the elite group.
Speaking on route to Armenia and Poland for a ‘Goodwill Visit’ Vice-President Hamid M Ansari said on Monday that Poland has been a strong supporter of India's application for the NSG and India fimly believed that it will continue to back India's case as and when needed.
"The fact present rules for the NSG membership is being reworked shows that the old norms were not accommodating. Poland has been very supportive of the Indian membership. We are confident their support will continue when the rules will be reworked,” Vice President Hamid Ansari said on board the special flight Air India One while on his way to Armenia and Poland. Agreements on agriculture sector are expected to be singed in during Ansari's stay in Warsaw.
Stating that India and Armenia have age-old ties, the Vice President added his visit will enhance the friendship between the two countries and establish high level of talks. Though the Indian Vice President's visit is coming after a gap of 12 years — last time VP Bhairon Singh Shekhawat travelled to Armenia was in 2005 — there have been constant visits at different level, and India has strongly backed Armenia during its time of need particularly at the time when a major earthquake in 1988 left the country devasted. India also helped the country later when the country reeled under drought in 2000 by sending foodgrains.
Incidentally, the Vice President's visit is taking place at a time when India has announced the upcoming visit of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Every year on April 24, Armenians gather at the Armenian Genocide Memorial —Tsitsernakaberd — located on a hill overlooking Turkey to remember the victims of 1915 Armenian Genocide that took place during the Ottoman Empire carried out by the Turkish Government. In Yerevan thousands of people walk to the memorial to lay flowers at the 'eternal flame'. Ansari will visit the memorial on Tuesday morning.
Ansari's presence in Yerevan on this important day would not only balance out India's relations with both Armenia and Turkey but also reiterate Armenia's importance in India's foreign policy. India and Armenia are celebrating 25 years of their relationship this year. Armenia has always been supportive of India at the international forms on several issues, particularly Kashmir. Besides, Armenia is an important member of Eurasian Economic Union and with its help Indian companies may find an excellent place for investment and getting access to the Eurasian Economic space.
The two countries are also looking to ramp up trade relations even as they work to get involved in collaboration on innovation.