The issue of terrorism resonated in the bilateral talks between India and Hungary on Sunday as Vice President Hamid Ansari held discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, and the two countries agreed on the need to set up a strong legal framework to fight terrorism.
"There has been a meeting of minds between our two sides that the scourge of terrorism needs to be eliminated and there is a need for a strong global legal framework and concerted action by all in dealing with this threat," said Ansari in his statement after his meeting with Orban.
Ansari had said that he would be discussing the issue of terrorism with the Hungarian leadership during his visit which came in the backdrop of the Uri terror attack and the surgical strikes undertaken by the Indian Army on terrorist camps across the Line of Control.
He said he reiterated India’s appreciation for the support extended by Hungary to India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime and for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Ansari said his meeting with the prime minister of Hungary gave the two leaders an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as share views on global and regional issues.
After the plenary meeting between the two leaders and delegation level talks, the two countries signed an MoU on cooperation in the field of water management. An MoU between the Indian Council for World Affairs and the Institute of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary was also inked.
In his press statement, the Hungarian premier said his country supported India’s aspirations of finding greater say in international politics. He promised Hungary’s support to India in getting a representation on the international stage that merits its size.
Referring to Ansari’s allusion to the philosophy of peaceful development, Orban said, “The world is going through a major transformation, which provides a huge opportunity and at the same time poses significant threat. In this, the philosophy of peaceful development would be important.”
Orban said the two countries talked about enhancing cooperation in the field of defence. “We are in the process of rebuilding the Hungarian defence industry. In this, Hungary counts on India’s participation,” he said.
The Hungarian prime minister announced that the two countries had agreed to set up a working group on technology to enhance cooperation in the field of technology.
Orban commended the Indian industry for investing in Hungary, saying in 2014-15, India was the largest greenfield investor in the central European country.
Ansari is on a five-day, two-nation tour of Hungary and Algeria. He leaves for Algiers on Monday.
