Blitz Bureau
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and President of Paraguay Santiago Peña held wideranging bilateral discussions in New Delhi on June 2 aimed at infusing new momentum into diplomatic and economic relations between India and the South American nation.
“Your visit is truly historic; marking the second time a President of Paraguay has visited India. I am pleased that you are accompanied by senior ministers and a strong delegation. You are visiting not just Delhi but also Mumbai, which shows your commitment to building stronger ties between the two countries. I believe that by working together, we can create a path to shared growth and prosperity,” PM Modi said in his opening statement during the delegation-level talks.
Similar hopes
PM Modi mentioned that India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South having similar hopes, aspirations and challenges. “We see new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space, and overall economic partnership. We have a Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR. We can work together to further expand it. India and Paraguay stand united in the fight against terrorism. There is immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organized crime, and drug trafficking,” he said.
PM Modi expressed his deep appreciation to the South American nation for its strong condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. President Peña was on a three-day official visit to India and was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.
Prior to his meeting with the Prime Minister, President Peña called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation. In a statement, the MEA noted that India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, and have since cultivated warm and friendly ties. Bilateral cooperation spans across key sectors including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
