Saturday, September 3 2005 10:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Caracas: India and Venezuela have signed an agreement to exempt diplomatic and official Passport holders from visa requirement.

The agreement was signed by Minister of State for External Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ali Rodriquez Araque in Caracas after the first high-level meeting of the Joint Commission between the two countries.

The meeting covered a wide range of issues including energy, poverty alleviation, railways, trade, science and technology and economic cooperation, an official spokesman said.

During the discussions, India emphasised its interest in Venezuelan oil and gas industry, particularly through agreements such as the one between ONGC (Videsh) Ltd and PdVSA of Venezuela to exploit the heavy oil field of San Cristopal.

The Venezuelan side acknowledged India's potential in the infrastructure through agreements such as the one between IRCON and Venzuelan Railway Authority.