President Serzh Sarkisian receives Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari on April 25, 2017 in Yerevan (Photo: Press Office of the President of Armenia)
YEREVAN—President Serzh Sarkisian received on April 25 the delegation led by the Vice-President of India, Chairperson of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the press office of the president of Armenia announced on Monday.
The President welcomed the guests and expressed hope that the official visit of Ansari will give a new impetus to the centuries-long Armenian-Indian friendship. Speaking about the Armenian-Indian historical relations, Sarkisian noted that Armenian communities have existed in India since the 17th-19th centuries and played an active role in India’s social, political, economic, and cultural life, including in Calcutta where Ansari was born.
The parties concurred that Armenian-Indian relations constitute a solid base for the strengthening of the interstate ties and expansion of the cooperation agenda in different areas. Sarkisian and Ansari stressed the importance of high-level visits and active contacts on different levels, including between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
During the meeting, Ansari conveyed the message of the President of India Pranab Mukherjee with an invitation to conduct an official visit to India.
The parties also discussed the situation in the region, current challenges, the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic peace process, as well as pressing international issues.
Ansari visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial today accompanied by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
The Vice President laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and paid tribute to the memory of victims with a minute of silence.
Ansari also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI), watched the displays and left a note in the Guest Book.
AGMI Director Hayk Demoyan presented him the English edition of the “Armenian Genocide: Frontpage coverage in the world pressâ€
