The Director for Asia, Africa and Oceania Mr. Alfredo Ramos Gonzalez held a productive Political Consultations Meeting with the Joint Secretary of Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC), Ashok Das, during the latter’s official visit to Colombia.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction at the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries. They acknowledged that the two countries share interests in the framework of South-South cooperation and complementarity in trade and
commerce. Indian side welcomed the progress made in the ongoing peace negotiations in Colombia and added that India looked forward to the opening of new chapter of peace and prosperity in Colombia. Based on this shared perspective, the two sides held in-depth
discussions on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
Both sides exchanged views on the political and economic situation of both countries and reviewed the bilateral agreements under negotiation including on tourism, cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, mines and energy, sports, educational exchange,
health and traditional medicine.
Indian side gave information regarding the ITEC scholarships being offered by India to Colombia. The Colombian side briefed India about their cultural plan of promotion of Colombia in India and the activities that will be held during this year.
Both sides discussed multilateral affairs including candidatures, Security Council Reform, UNGASS on the world drug problem, International Solar Alliance and the Pacific Alliance. India renewed its commitment to work more closely with the Pacific Alliance.
The meeting was followed by courtesy calls by the Joint Secretary of LAC division of India on the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, H.E. Ms Maria Angela Holguin, Viceminister of Foreign Affairs, Patti Londoño and Viceminister of Multilateral
Affairs, Francisco Echeverri. The Ambassador of India, Mr Prabhat Kumar and Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia signed an agreement on gainful employment of dependents of officials from the Diplomatic missions between both countries.