India, Romania see promise in defense, energy ties

During parleys with Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhavat, who is in Bucharest on a four-day visit, Romanian leaders also extended the country's support to India's candidature for United Nations Security Council. Romania is a non-permanent member of the Security Council whose term ends in December.

The Romanian Economy and Commerce Minister Loan Codrut Seres called on the Vice President during which both sides said there was scope for cooperation in energy, automotiaves, heavy machinery, pharamaceuticals and real estate.

The Romanian Minister, who will be visiting India from October 22, said that defence was also one such area, official sources said.

Seres said Indo-Romanian economic relations have been on an upswing in recent years with trade doubling each year in the last few years. It is expected to touch half a billion dollars in 2005.

He also recalled that Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer had visited Bucharest just a few months back during which four Memoranda of Understanding were signed in the hydrocarbon sector.