Pranab calls on Prodi, reviews bilateral ties

New Delhi, Feb 15: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today called on visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and discussed bilateral issues and other matters of mutual interest.

Mr Prodi, who has been in India for about a week now heading a 400-plus business delegation, is concluding his visit with meetings with President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Mamnmohan Singh this evening.

India and Italy are expected to sign several bilateral trade agreements after the talks between Mr Prodi and Dr Singh, aimed at facilitating greater cooperation between the business chambers of the two countries.

During the day, the Italian Prime Minister is also having meetings with Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Mr Prodi, who arrived in India on February 10, has since visited Mumbai to address a gathering of the captains of industry and Kolkata to attend the Italia-India 2007 business forum organised by FICCI.

This morning, he was given a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, after which he visited Rajghat and placed a wreath on the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

UNI

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