Vice President Hamid Ansari leaves for Armenia, Poland

Vice President Hamid Ansari on Monday embarked on a five-day visit to Armenia and Poland, during which he is expected to discuss with Polish leaders India's bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Ansari is slated to hod talks with leaders of the two nations, besides attending a host of events. This is his first visit to Armenia and Poland.

The vice president, who will be in Armenia till April 26, is accompanied by his wife, Salma Ansari, Union Minister of State for Small, Medium & Micro Industries Giriraj Singh, Members of Parliament Sitaram Yechury, D P Tripathi, Vivek Tankha and Thupstan Chhewang and senior officials, besides media representatives.

He will reach Poland on April 26 and over the next two days meet the Polish president and the prime minister, who will host a banquet in the vice president s honour. He will also meet the speaker of the Senate.

Poland has been very supportive of our bid for membership to the NSG and we have been very appreciative and thankful to them, MEA Secretary (east) Preeti Saran said when asked about the possibility of a discussion on NSG in Poland.

So certainly, when it comes up, it will provide the vice president with an opportunity to thank Government of Poland for their support to India, not only in seeking membership of the NSG but also in other international forums," she told reporters on Thursday.

In Armenia, Ansari will hold discussions with the president, prime minister and the foreign minister in the capital of Yerevan.

The visit intends to further strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries and develop cooperation and partnership on a wide range of issues of shared common interest, an External Affairs Ministry official said.

Ansari will also address students and faculty at the Yerevan University. The president and prime ministers will host banquets in his honour.