President arrives in Lisbon

Lisbon, Apr 12 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil tonight arrived in Lisbon for an overnight stay enroute to three Latin American countries Brazil, Mexico and Chile as part of her 14-day official trip, beginning tomorrow.

This will be the maiden official visit of India's first woman President.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his cabinet colleagues and Chiefs of the Armed Forces saw her off at the airport.

The Brazil leg of the visit will be from April 13 to 16 during which she is slated to visit Sau Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

Ms Patil will be in Mexico from April 16 to 20 where she will travel to Mexico City and Guadalajara.

On the last leg of the visit, she will travel to Santiago, the capital of Chile, from April 20 to 23.

Besides Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile are considered to be the most important countries of Latin America. The President's visit is being viewed as important in view of India's healthy trade relations with these countries.

The visit seeks to improve India's relations with Latin American nations. During President Patil's visit, India is likely to sign at least two bilateral agreements with each of the three countries.

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