Vice President Hamid Ansari attends official meeting in Peru (in pics)

Lima, Oct 29: An official meeting was held at the Government palace in Lima, Peru, where Indian Vice president Hamid Ansari and President of Peru Ollanta Humal were seen shaking hands and interacting.

Ansari has launched the Indian Chambers of Commerce (INCHAM) in Lima to facilitate Indian trade and industry in doing business in Peru and other Latin American countries.

The launch was at a function Monday organised by the Indian embassy here and INCHAM. Among those present on the occasion were Indian ambassador Manpreet Vohra, INCHAM president Ravi Krishna and senior officials and business leaders from India and Peru.

The INCHAM website - www.incham.pe - was also launched on the occasion.

The India-Peru bilateral trade has increased sevenfold in the last five years, the growth being 35 percent last year. The trade rose 44 percent in the first six months of this year as Indian companies have shown great interest in Peru's gold mines.

Both sides are looking forward to starting negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.

Bringing the culture of India to far off Peru, Ansari on October 27 inaugurated the 'Festival of India' here. The festival is also being held simultaneously in Cuba, the next stop of the Vice-President.

Ansari's Peruvian counterpart Marisol Espinoza was also present at the inaugural ceremony which saw the staging of "Nrityarupa" to loud applause.

The programme was a mosaic of six Indian dances - Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathakali and Chhau.

Ansari arrived here earlier on October 27 on a three-day official visit.

In Lima

Vice President Hamid Ansari with President of Congress Freddy Otarola (third from right) and Vice President of Peru Marisol Espinoza (second From right) during a Welcome ceremony at Parliament in Lima, Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice president Hamid Ansari inspect guards of honour during his Welcome ceremony at Parliament in Lima in Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice president Hamid Ansari with his Peruvian Counterpart Marisol Espinoza during his Welcome ceremony at Parliament in Lima in Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice president Hamid Ansari during his Welcome ceremony reception at Torre Tagle Palace in Lima, Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice president Hamid Ansari with President of Peru Ollanta Humal during a meeting at Government palace in Lima , Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice president Hamid Ansari shakes hands with President of Peru Ollanta Humal during a meeting at Government palace in Lima , Peru on Monday.

In Lima

Vice President Hamid Ansari with wife Salma going around a museum which has artefacts found at the archaeological site of Pachacamac at Lima in Peru on Sunday.

With PTI inputs

OneIndia News