Visit of MoS Shri Pabitra Margherita to Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago (August 15-24, 2024)

Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Pabitra Margherita (MOSPM) paid official visits to Dominican Republic (15-17 August), Guatemala (17-19 August), El Salvador (19-20 August), Panama (20-22 August) and Trinidad and Tobago (23-24 August). This was the first foreign visit of MOSPM after assuming office in June 2024.

In the Dominican Republic, MOSPM attended the inauguration of the 2nd term of President H. E. Mr. Luis Abinader and met with H.E. Roberto Álvarez, Foreign Minister of Dominican Republic. Bilateral discussions during the visit focussed on diverse aspects of the collaborative ties covering political, economic, cultural, pharma, developmental Partnership sectors among others.

In Guatemala, MOSPM met H.E. César Bernardo Arévalo de León, President of Guatemala and H.E. Carlos Ramiro Martinez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala. Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in several areas including trade and investment, technical and development cooperation, infrastructure development and healthcare. MOSPM held a productive meeting with Members of Congress and Mayors and emphasised on enhancing parliamentary exchanges. The visit to Guatemala also included meetings with the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala, Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF) and Guatemalan Exporters Association - AGEXPORTS.

In El Salvador, MOSPM called on H.E. Mr. Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador; and, met with H.E. Ms. Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador. MOSPM and FM Hill witnessed the launch of pilot projects developed by CDOT (India) in El Salvador for Cyber Security, Early Warning System and Cell Broadcasting System, and also the signing of an MoU on Cyber Security. Further, MOSPM handed over the first instalment of HADR relief material to Foreign Minister; this relief material is a part of the total 50 tons being delivered in three instalments to those affected in El Salvador by the tropical storm of June 2024.

In Panama, MOSPM called on H.E. Mr. José Raúl Mulino, President of Panama and held a bilateral delegation-level meeting with Panama's Foreign Minister, H.E. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, and other officials including Panama's Minister of Commerce & Industry; Vice Ministers from Foreign Affairs and Health; Director General of National Immigration Service; experts from Panama Pacifico, and representatives from the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation. The discussions reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations and highlighted areas for deeper cooperation, including capacity building, pharmaceuticals, development partnership, science, technology and innovation, renewable energy and green hydrogen, IT and digitization. MOSPM also visited Panama Canal and Panama Pacifico; inaugurated the new office space of an Indian BPO IT company based in Panama Pacifico; and, unveiled a 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' wall in its premises. MOSPM planted two saplings under the initiative Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, one each at the University of Panama and Panama Pacifico.

Visit of MOSPM to Trinidad and Tobago was the first Ministerial-level visit from India to Trinidad & Tobago since April 2017. MOSPM paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago. He held a wide-ranging discussion with Senator H.E. Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs on areas of mutual interest, including collaboration in digital transformation, health, agriculture, sports and cultural exchanges. Both the Ministers also signed an Agreement on gainful employment of dependents of members of their diplomatic mission or consular post. MOSPM also visited the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago (Red House) and paid a courtesy call on Senator H.E. Mr. Nigel de Freitas, President of the Senate and H.E. Ms. Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Further, at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation, MOSPM inaugurated an exhibition on 'Ramleela traditions in the Caribbean region'.

During his five nation tour to countries in Latin America and Caribbean, MOSPM attended Indian community receptions and interacted with the Indian diaspora. He also paid floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi in Santo Domingo, Guatemala, University of Panama and Port of Spain.

The visit of MOSPM to these five countries reinforced our long standing relations with these countries; provided a positive momentum to our engagement; and, created positivity and goodwill that will help deepen and diversify our relationship with the Latin American and Caribbean region.

New Delhi
August 24, 2024