First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today the Ambassador of India in Belgrade, Shrimati Narinder Chauhan.

They pointed in the talks to the traditional friendship existing between the two countries, based on the Non-Aligned Movement, and the continuity of their very good political relations. Both sides agreed on the need for the further enhancement of their political dialogue and the exchange of visits at all levels.

Minister Dacic extended the gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Serbia, for India's principled position regarding the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija. He was also grateful for the sympathies expressed and the financial assistance provided to alleviate the consequences of recent catastrophic flooding in Serbia.

The Serbian Foreign Minister and the Indian Ambassador stressed in particular the need for promoting economic cooperation, and recognized that this cooperation considerably lagged behind the level of the political relations and potential of the two countries.

Ambassador Chauhan conveyed to Minister Dacic the proposal advanced by the Indian side to hold as early as possible the session of the Joint Committee for Economic and Agricultural Cooperation, and to organize the forthcoming visit by a delegation of Indian experts specializing in high technologies to Serbia. She also expressed an ever growing interest of Indian firms in investing in Serbia, including some of the larger Serbian enterprises undergoing restructuring.