The MPR leader accompanied by his deputies --- Mahyudin, E.E. Mangindaan, Hidayat Nur Wahid, and Oesman Sapta Odang --- received the Indian vice president to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, Ansari was accompanied by several members of the Indian Parliament.
After the meeting, Hasan remarked that the courtesy visit by the Indian vice president, who is concurrently chairman of the Indian Senate, aimed to establish friendly relations and cooperation between the people of both countries.
"Such visits must be constantly made to increase friendship," Hasan emphasized, adding that they also discussed the implementation of democracy in India and Indonesia.
According to Hasan, India supports the Indonesian governments programs related to trade cooperation between the two countries, such as the trade of cattle, coal, and CPO.
In the meantime, Indian Embassy spokesman Madan Kumar Ghildiyal remarked that the Indian vice president would hold a discussion with the leader of MPR and Regional Representative Council (DPD) Chairman Irman Gusman.
Ghildiyal stated that the meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries representative institutions.
"After the meeting with Hasan and Gusman, Ansari will head to Shangrila Hotel to attend a business gathering of Indonesian and Indian businesspersons at around 10 a.m. West Indonesia Standard Time (WIB)," Ghildiyal noted.
The Indian vice president plans to fly to Denpasar, Bali, at 1 p.m. WIB on Tuesday afternoon to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on health research between Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh and Rector of Udayana University Professor Dr Ketut Suastika.
Ansari is on a visit to Indonesia on November 1-4, 2015, at the invitation of Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
During his visit, Vice President Ansari was accompanied by four members of the Indian parliament along with some state officials and representatives of businessmen of Indian origin.
Earlier, on Monday, Ansari and Kalla witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy and a cooperation program of cultural exchange for the 2015-2018 period.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
