India-Mexico to establish ''Privileged Partnership''

New Delhi, Sep 10 (UNI) India and Mexico today decided to establish a 'Privileged Partnership to leverage mutual strengths for each other's common benefit and socio-economic development.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in the field of civilian nuclear cooperation and in the fight against global terrorism and signed the Extradition Treaty, a Treaty for Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and for Avoidance of Double Taxation.

In a Joint Statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the two countries expressed satisfaction at positive cooperation at the IAEA and other fora, with a view to ensuring the unimpeded growth and development of peaceful uses of atomic energy, through the supply of technology, equipment and material, under appropriate safeguards, and reaffirmed their will to intensify such cooperation.

They reiterated the importance of ensuring that any multilateral decisions related to the nuclear fuel cycle do not undermine the inalienable right of States to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with their international legal obligations.

They also agreed that international civilian nuclear cooperation, under appropriate IAEA safeguards, among countries committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives, could be enhanced through acceptable forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and international obligations.

The Mexican President, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day State visit to India at the invitation of President Pratibha Patil, held intensive discussions with the President and the Prime Minister and also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Opposition L K Advani and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The leaders of India and Mexico agreed on the importance of regular political dialogue and high level contacts and exchanges between the two countries.

They also agreed on the importance of fostering greater inter-governmental exchanges, particularly between their foreign ministries, as well as Parliamentary contacts and a more dynamic social interaction.

Both sides noted that the next meeting of the Joint Commission is scheduled to be held in early 2008 and instructed the Joint Commission to prepare a coherent and comprehensive plan of action to strengthen bilateral relations.

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