SPECIAL REPORT
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu at the
tete-a-tete with the President of Paraguay
Mr. Mario Abdo Benitez in Asuncion
India could count on Paraguay´s support in the fi ght against
terrorism and in raising concerns about threats of terrorism
in the international fora.
President Abdo Benitez and Vice President Velazquez were
appreciative of the economic growth in India and noted that
it contributes to global growth. India with its technological
strength and Paraguay as a major food producer have natural
complementarities for further strengthening of bilateral trade
and economic ties. Paraguay itself was a growing economy
and India should look at Paraguay as a strategic economic
hub to reach out to countries in Latin America. They invited
Indian companies to invest in Paraguay.
The two sides agreed to explore new areas of collaboration
including hydel and solar power, health comprising of tradi-
tional medicine, Information and Communication Technology,
farming and agriculture machinery, space and biotechnology,
railways and tourism-related infrastructure. Specifi c areas dis-
cussed included agro-processing, the supply of equipment like
tractors from India, modernization of the hydel energy sector,
supply of medical equipment and generic medicine that can
be useful for the Paraguayan healthcare system.
They tasked their teams to facilitate promotion of
exchanges between academics and universities and also
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu leads delegation level talks between
India and Paraguay in Asuncion (March 06, 2019)
between travel professionals and stakeholders in tourism.
Paraguay welcomed the off er of India in capacity building
through enhanced scholarships for higher education and its
ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program.
Emphasising the importance of people-to-people contact,
it was agreed to increase tourism between the two countries.
Paraguay stated that they would work towards a more
business-friendly visa regime for Indian business persons
and visitors.
The importance of Parliamentary visits was emphasized,
and Vice President Naidu invited a Parliamentary delegation
from Paraguay to visit India. India and Paraguay would be
jointly celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi and, in his context, Vice President Naidu announced
the gifting of a Mahatma Gandhi statue to Paraguay for which
the Mayor of Asuncion is identifying a suitable location. India
welcomed the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp by
Paraguay in Asuncion, which was launched jointly by Vice
President Naidu and Vice President Velazquez. President
Abdo Benitez informed Vice President Naidu that Mahatma
Gandhi was a great inspiration for him.
MoU between the Diplomatic Academies of both countries
was signed and exchanged in the presence of the two Vice
Presidents. Furthermore, Paraguay assured that they would
support India’s candidature to elections to various UN and
multilateral bodies.
Paraguay appreciated the International Solar Alliance
(ISA) initiative launched by India in 2015, adding that it
would be joining ISA shortly. To follow up on the decisions
taken at this high-level meeting, the third round of Foreign
Offi ce Consultations would be held in 2019 itself.
Vice President Naidu invited the President and Vice
President of Paraguay to visit India at mutually convenient
dates. Prior to his departure from Asuncion, Vice President
Naidu interacted with the Indian community and will be
addressing a Business Forum meeting.
Source: Ministry of External Aff airs, Government of India
PARAGUAY 2019 • 15