New Delhi and Quito discuss cooperation in trade, energy, pharmaceuticals and technology during talks in New Delhi…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India and Ecuador have reviewed their bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments during the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi on November 10.
The Indian delegation was led by Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while Ecuador’s delegation was headed by Alejandro Davalos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility.
The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments, the MEA said in a statement.
During his visit, Davalos also held bilateral meetings with India’s Commerce Secretary, Health Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals. He also met representatives of Indian business organisations to explore opportunities for greater economic cooperation.
The consultations followed a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury in New York in September.
During that meeting, the two ministers discussed strengthening economic ties, particularly in energy and pharmaceuticals, as well as mobility, personnel training, development partnerships and cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.
Technology and pharmaceuticals remain important areas of cooperation between the two countries.
India has trained 223 Ecuadorian professionals over the past five years. Meanwhile, the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology India, established at an Ecuadorian university, has provided training to another 813 professionals.
The two countries have also identified opportunities to expand trade based on complementary economic strengths.
Ecuador’s Ambassador to India Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas previously said his country exports gold, oil and cocoa to India while importing automobiles, motorcycles, pharmaceutical products and agricultural ingredients.
Describing the two economies as complementary, Vargas told IANS that Ecuador supplies products sought by India, while Indian goods and pharmaceutical products serve various needs in the Ecuadorian market.
The latest consultations are expected to support continued engagement between New Delhi and Quito across trade, technology, healthcare and other areas of mutual interest.
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