Thursday, February 17 2005 16:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Austria today (Feb 17, 2005) signed two agreements to enhance cooperation in the health sector and held wide-ranging talks to strengthen ties in the fields of economy, science and technology.

The agreements were signed after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held parleys with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, who arrived in New Delhi last night (Feb 16, 2005) on a six-day visit to India. He is the first Austrian President to pay a State visit to India.

"This visit is quite significant and important," Fischer told reporters in Delhi after being accorded the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The agreement on infrastructure cooperation in the health sector was signed by Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss and Austrian Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Bartenstein. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Development of Cooperation between Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education, Chandigarh and Medical University of Innesbruck was inked by their chiefs K K Talwar and Hans Grunicke respectively.

The talks between the Prime Minister and the Austrian leader focused largely on economic issues. Fischer is accompanied by a large delegation of business representatives.

Fischer said that he was "very optimistic" that the visit would be successful in boosting friendly relations between the two countries.

At the ceremonial reception, President A P J Abdul Kalam voiced confidence that "cooperation between the two countries would result in economic prosperity".

During his stay, Fischer will meet External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of Opposition L K Advani.

Fischer, who is accompanied by his wife Margi and a high-level delegation, will also participate in a business meeting organised jointly by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI) and Confederation Of India Industry (CII).

He will also visit Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mysore and Mumbai.