Monday, May 30 2005 07:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Reykjavik: In an effort to give a major boost to Indo-Iceland relations, President A P J Abdul Kalam arrived in Iceland yesterday (May 29, 2005) on a three-day State visit, the first ever by an Indian leader.

The President, upon his arrival at the Keflavik International Airport, was received by Secretary General in the office of Iceland's President Stefan L Stefasson after which he was presented with a guard of honour.

The President left immediately from the airport to begin his official visit during which two bilateral agreements - Air Services and opening up of a Resident Mission in Iceland - were likely to be signed.

The high-level delegation of the President was also likely to be joined by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, who would be inking the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for paving the way to begin direct services between the two countries.

Iceland has been supportive of India's claim for a permanent membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

This country was the first Nordic country to extend support to India for UNSC.

There were no high-level bilateral visits between India and Iceland till President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson paid the first ever State visit to India in October 2000.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, as leader of Opposition, had visited Iceland as a guest of the Iceland President during a private visit in June 2001.

During the delegation-level talks, the two sides would focus on the decreasing trade, which has come down from $ 36.48 million in 2002 to $ 17.31 million in year 2004.

The President would also be discussing with scientists of Iceland about the technique of earthquake prediction as the country is among the few having the quake prediction centre. The delegation-level talks will also include deep- sea fishing.

The Iceland President would be hosting an official dinner for Kalam today (May 30, 2005) before giving him a ceremonial reception.