The Vice President of India, H.E. Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu paid an official visit to the Republic of Guatemala from 6th to 8th May 2018.
This the first ever visit of an Indian Vice President to the Republic of Guatemala. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Members of Parliament representing different political parties in India, and senior
officers of the Government of India.
The visit started with courtesy call on President of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales Cabrera, who was accompanied by the Vice President of Guatemala, Jafeth Cabrera and Foreign Minister, Sandra Jovel Polanco, in which they discussed issues of common interest between
the two countries.
President Jimmy Morales conveyed that it was a high honour for Guatemala to receive the visit of an Indian Vice President. The Diplomatic Relations between Guatemala and India were established on 16th May 1972.
Afterwards, he had a bilateral meeting with the Vice President of Guatemala, Mr. Jafeth Cabrera, in which they reviewed the main issues of the bilateral relations and agreed to explore and strengthen their cooperation linkages in different areas such as agriculture,
culture, education, renewable energy, environment conservation, trade & investment etc. The two countries also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues. India reiterated its invitation for Guatemala to join the International Solar Alliance, which
is under process.
On the multilateral front, the subjects of UNSC expansion and reform, fight against terrorism and sustainable development were discussed.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to promote trade and economic relations and called upon the private sectors to explore and take advantage of the pro-business climate existing in both countries.
During the Official Visit, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, and the Ministry of External Affairs of India through their respective Foreign Service Institutes for strengthening diplomatic cooperation through
education was signed. Further, Letter of Intent was decided to handed over to Guatemalan authority on organizing a special course for Guatemalan English Teachers in India under ITEC programme.
The Vice President of India expressed his country’s readiness to assist Guatemala under South-South Cooperation and to share experience in areas of interest to Guatemala. In this regard, the two sides agreed to implement proposals on solar energy technologies
in Guatemala. These promote women empowerment through their training in use of renewable energy and hence promote use of clean energy.
Additionally, the Vice President of India reaffirmed India’s interest in strengthening interaction with regional integration bodies like SICA and CELAC in which Guatemala is a member.
The Vice President of India and Members of Parliament visited the Guatemalan Parliament and had a meeting with the Speaker of the House during which they discussed issues of common interest including democracy and legislation, with the purpose of expanding
the ties of friendship between Guatemala and India in the parliamentary ambit. Setting up of a Parliamentary Friendship Committee was encouraged.
The Vice President of India, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu thanked the people and Government of Guatemala, on behalf of his delegation, for the warm hospitality received during his visit.
Guatemala City
May 08, 2018