MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Indian Defence minister visits Antarctic base

Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian Minister of Defence to visit Antarctica where he was taken by Chilean hosts last weekend.

The veteran Indian politician and New Delhi's ambassador in Chile Susmita G. Thomas were flown to the Chilean Antarctic base of Eduardo Frei and the adjoining Las Estrellas which functions as a village with families living the whole year round plus hospital, schools, gymnasium and even some government offices.

Mr. Mukherjee was very impressed with what he saw and expressed interest in starting a joint Indian-Chilean Antarctic research program.

India is also a member of the Antarctic Treaty and has a permanent base, Maitri.

Chile and India both very dynamic economies on the Pacific basin, have growing political and trade relations. President Ricardo Lagos and Defence minister Jaime Ravinet recently visited India.

Mr. Mukherjee together with an important official and business delegation spent several days in Chile to promote trade and military links.

Chile has shown an interest in purchasing Indian built helicopters and apparently cruise missiles, and according to Indian sources, "negotiations are ongoing".

India has had one of the world's fastest growing economies for the last ten years and is a leading technology power in several fields.