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Pranab Mukherjee visits Antarctica

     Santiago (Chile): Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited the Chile's Eduardo Frei Air Force Base on King George's Island in Antarctica on Tuesday. Mukherjee held discussions with officials and scientists located at the base and explored the possible areas of cooperation between the Chilean base and India's Antarctica base which is located some distance away. Earlier on his arrival at the base, Mukherjee was received by Commander Harvey. The Defence Minister and his delegation was briefed about the activities of the base and was taken around the facilities, including a school, church, super market and gymnasium which have been built to facilitate the 80-odd Chilean personnel and their family members who live and work at this desolate and ice-covered site. Mukherjee spent nearly six hours at the base. Earlier in the day at the Chilean capital Santiago, Mukherjee had a brief wrap-up session with Chilean Defence Minister Jaime Ravinet. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen bilateral defence relations as outlined in the joint statement signed by the two sides. Mukherjee also witnessed the signing of a contract between the Indian Defence Public Sector Undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and M/s. Enaer, Santiago regarding the manufacture of aircrafts parts and assemblies. Mukherjee also visited the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru located at Plaza de la India in the heart of Santiago and laid wreaths below them.