Mexico City: India on Thursday secured Mexico's backing in its bid to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as it aggressively scouted for support ahead of a crucial meeting of the 48-nation nuclear trading bloc in Vienna.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced his country's support to India's membership for the elite NSG after holding wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a major focus on further deepening cooperation in a range of areas including trade and investment, information technology, energy and space.

 technology, energy and space. Here is what PM Narendra Modi said during his speech in Mexico:

Dear Friends,

Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente!

Thank you, Mr. President for your generous welcome.

I am particularly touched by your warmth and hospitality. Although this is my first visit to your great country as the Prime Minister, I had experienced the richness of your culture during my travel in early nineties as a common Indian. We are meeting for the third time in last two years. I have always found my conversations with you deeply stimulating. I truly value your friendship Mr. President.

Friends, Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognize India. Since then, the trajectory of our all round bilateral ties has shown growing intensity. In 2007 we established Privileged Partnership. Today, during our conversations, President and I held productive discussions on the entire range of bilateral relations, and on global issues of mutual interests. We have agreed to work and develop a roadmap of concrete outcomes to upgrade our ties to a Strategic Partnership.

Friends,

Ties of business and investment are an important driver of our relationship. Mexico is an important partner for India’s energy security. We are now looking to move beyond a buyer-seller relationship, and into a long-term partnership. Information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries are among key growth areas of our commercial linkages. But, there is potential to expand our commercial and investment, and Science and Technology partnerships in new areas. In this regard, President and I agreed to find ways to deepen our cooperation in Space, and science and technology. We will also prioritize concrete projects in areas of agricultural research; bio-technology; waste management; disaster warning and management, and solar energy. I would like to particularly thank President Pena Nieto for his support to the International Solar Alliance. It will transform the global canvas for solar technology, especially for developing and Small Island Developing countries.