The Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari today said India and Turkey will exchange their views on the developments in the region besides achieving a more viable commercial relationship during his visit to Turkey. Speaking to reporters on board special aircraft en route to Ankara from New Delhi, Mr. Ansari also hinted at enhancing Indo-Turkey cooperation on the Afghan issue . The Vice President noted that Turkey has started playing a pro-active role in politics of its own region with Eurpoe on the one side and the Asian landmass on the other. Mr. Ansari said that the purpose of his visit was also to continue the frequency of high level engagements with Turkey.

AIR correspondent reports, Mr. Ansar?'s visit is first such high profile Indian delegation visiting Turkey after the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to that country in 2003. The Vice President said that it was desire of both the governments that the exchanges should continue. He is accompanied by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, and four MPS including Sitaram Yechury and a high-powered business delegation. Later, on his arrival at Esenboga International airport in Ankara, Mr. Ansari was received by the deputy speaker of the Turkish Grand Nat?onal Assembly Mehmet Saglam.