Defence Production MoS Rao Inderjit Singh Leaves for Chile

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh left here today for Chile on a five-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral and defence cooperation between the two democracies.

During his South American sojourn, the Minister will sign with his Chilean counterpart a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence cooperation. He will also discuss bilateral cooperation in defence industries during talks with Chilean Defence Minister Mrs Viviane Blanlot Soza and other senior Chilean defence officials, a Defence Ministry spokesperson here said.

India and Chile have tremendous scope in joint production and marketing of defence products and platforms in Latin America. Chile has also showed interest in purchasing the 'Dhruv' Advanced Light Helicopter from India.

The Minister will also visit the icy continent of Antarctica and see the research facilities at Chilean bases.

A ten-member Indian Naval team which recently went on a skiing expedition to the South Pole -- crossing the South American nation -- will also call on the Minister of State at Santiago.

Rao Inderjit Singh is accompanied by Secretary (Defence Production) KP Singh.

UNI