May 6: The 2nd Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Guatemala were held virtually on 05 May 2021. The Indian side was led by Ms. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East) and the Guatemalan side was led by Mr. Carlos Ramiro Martínez, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guatemala.
During the FOC, both sides noted their warm and traditionally friendly relations and comprehensively reviewed the current status of bilateral relations in all fields including political, economic, cultural, trade and consular. They discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology, space, energy, education, health and traditional medicine and tourism.
Both sides discussed the COVID 19 situation and emphasized that global cooperation and solidarity are key to fighting the pandemic and achieving economic recovery. The Guatemalan side appreciated India’s role in extending assistance to the Guatemala and other countries in LAC region over the last year, including by way of supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
The two sides acknowledged that trade is an important pillar of India-Guatemala relations and expressed satisfaction at the growing trade which reached US$ 314.27 million in 2019-2020 with Indian exports at US$ 291.32 million and imports at US$ 22.95 million. Both sides agreed that there is great potential to further expand their trade relationship.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the multilateral arena. They acknowledged the strong institutional bond between India and SICA and agreed to explore holding of the next India-SICA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at a mutually convenient date.
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