Vice President Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu today said that his visit to three Latin American has addressed the ‘high level contact deficit’ with the important region and would help in improving bilateral trade and investments for mutual benefit. He briefed media persons in Frankfurt, Germany today before leaving for New Delhi after concluding his week long visit to Guatemala, Panama and Peru.Shri Naidu said “High level visits by Indian leaders to identified countries and regions of the world are affirmative statements of intent to enhance cooperation for mutual benefit. India has embarked on such engagements over the last four years and this visit is a part of that well thought out outreach. This is in line with India’s vision for a better world through collective actions for shared benefits”.Vice President explained that the three Latin American countries offered significant opportunities for India given their high level of engagement with the USA and the other North and South American economies through regional arrangements and Free Trade Agreements, besides being logistic and financial hubs in the region.Shri Naidu further said “India’s sub-optimal engagement with these three countries is to a large extent due to high level contact deficit. My visit is the highest level ever from both sides to Guatemala and Panama since establishment of diplomatic ties about 50 years ago. Former President Shri K.R.Narayanan visited Peru in 1998. I am hopeful that my visit would catalyse enhanced flow of trade and investments through necessary follow up actions by respective governments”.Shri Naidu informed that the top leadership of the three Latin American countries have acknowledged the strengths and expertise of India in various fields and it’s fast growing economy which they said could benefit their countries under enhanced engagement.
Vice President stated that during his visit, five Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements have been signed. These relate to training of diplomats and English teachers of Guatemala; Exemption of visas for diplomatic, official and consular passport holders of India and Panama besides a Work Plan for cooperation in agricultural research and Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy with Peru.During the talks with Panamanian leaders, Shri Naidu also announced a total of US $ 25 million Line of Credit for setting up a Centre of Bio-diversity and Drug Tracking and a Centre for Innovation and Technology.Shri Naidu said “Presidents, Vice Presidents and concerned senior ministers of these three countries spending long hours discussing various issues of mutual interest and the road ahead with the Indian delegation has been very assuring”.Vice President informed that the Indian delegation highlighted the help India could provide in areas of agriculture, IT, Science & Technology, Space applications, pharmaceuticals, textiles, New & Renewable Energies.He also said that these three countries who suffered from various forms of terrorism supported India’s efforts for global action against all forms of terrorism. “They firmly reiterated support to India’s Permanent Membership in the United Nations Security Council as the largest democracy of the world and an important voice on global issues” he said.Shri Naidu was accompanied by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhahor and four Members of Parliament viz., Shri Tiruchi Siva, Shri Anil Desai, Shri Kamlesh Paswan and Smt.Chhaya Verma besides Smt.Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) and senior officials.