INTERVIEW
India and Peru have had a long history of collaboration on international platforms. Our countries support the establishment of a democratic and rulesbased international order and were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement( NAM), which rose as a strong alternative to the bipolar politics of the Cold War era. Our shared belief in the principle of an equal and open world where sovereign nations can thrive as equals propelled the creation of the NAM.
Given India ' s growing role as an influential power in South Asia, which is home to nearly a quarter of the world ' s population, Peru feels that India and the region as a whole are not adequately represented at the United Nations Security Council( UNSC). Thus Peru supports India’ s candidature for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UNSC.
Peru also supports India ' s entry as member into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation( APEC), which can possibly take place when the moratorium on the admission of new members is lifted.
Both countries can offer to each other ' s citizens in terms of knowledge, cultural currency and natural heritage. The histories of both countries and their inherent cultural values can only be gleaned by experiencing these fi rst hand and interacting with locals.
The Peruvian tourism sector has been experiencing an increasing footfall from the subcontinent. What is being done to increase tourism to Peru from India and other countries in the region?
We have adopted a multi-fold strategy to promote tourism to Peru, wherein we are looking to create both demand and supply simultaneously. The Commercial
Office of Peru has been actively involved in the execution of these activities, with some being aimed at the B2C segment and some being aimed at the B2B segment. MICE is another important segment which is growing, with Peru being of the most important MICE destinations in South America. Given that demand for MICE activities in India is growing, we will look to promote Indian travel to Peru for this purpose. The governments of both countries have also taken various steps to facilitate both business and personal travel between our two countries.
The Embassy of Peru in New Delhi has also recently launched four cookbooks on Peruvian cuisine as a way to promote Peru’ s internationally acclaimed gastronomy and beverages among Indians and, thus, enthuse Indian travellers to experience Peruvian food and beverages first-hand by travelling to Peru. Indians love good food, and this can be a great motivator for them to travel to new places. Furthermore, Peru, like India, is home to a rich cultural heritage, which means there is plenty more for travellers to experience and revel in apart from food.
As of now, the figures are encouraging. Last year, 8,781 Indian travellers visited Peru, compared to 5,984 travellers in 2016, showing a growth of 46.1 percent. The Embassy of Peru, along with the Commercial Office of Peru in India, will continue to work towards the promotion of Peru as a tourist destination, and we are certain that the numbers will increase further in the months to come.
What are your thoughts in terms of enhancing people-to-people ties between the two countries?
India and Peru are similar in more ways than one. Both countries are cradles of civilisations, and home to rich cultural histories that date back to 5000 years.
There is much that both countries can offer to each other ' s citizens in terms of knowledge, cultural currency and natural heritage. The histories of both countries and their inherent cultural values can only be gleaned by experiencing these first hand and interacting with locals. Thus, it is only through building peopleto-people ties between the people of Peru and India that knowledge and experience sharing can take place, which will serve to broaden perspectives and heighten the camaraderie that exists between our two countries.
I invite the readers of the Diplomatist to learn more about Peru and to follow the activities of the Embassy through social media. I would also like to make an open invitation for them to register as members of the Indo-Peruvian Friendship Association( INPEFA). •
12 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018, Noida