ANDORRA LA VELLA : Visit of Foreign Minister of Andorra to India

ANDORRA LA VELLA : H.E. Ms. Maria Ubach Font, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Andorra, paid an official visit to India from 31 July – 01 August 2022. This is the first-ever Foreign Minister-level visit between the two nations since diplomatic ties were established in 1994.

External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held bilateral talks with the Andorran Foreign Minister and they reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relationship. Both Ministers welcomed the opening of an Indian Honorary Consulate in Andorra la Vella. The Ministers also agreed to hold regular Foreign Office Consultations.

Dr. Jaishankar thanked the Andorran Foreign Minister for support to India’s positions and candidatures at multilateral fora. EAM congratulated Andorra for their leadership on the UN Mountain Partnership initiative and admission to the IMF. They discussed Andorra’s efforts to upgrade its relationship with EU. They discussed Ibero-American cooperation and the Ibero-American Summit, last held in Andorra la Vella. They exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the Ministers signed a Joint Declaration of Intent for Friendship and General Cooperation. This lays the framework for cooperation between the two countries on education, culture, science, information, youth, sports, tourism, diplomacy, health and other areas. Both countries will encourage conclusion of agreements in specific fields of mutual interest in future.

Ms. Maria Ubach Font also met NITI Aayog Vice Chairman and discussed Agenda 2030, SDGs and how India and Andorra can collaborate on tackling global challenges such as Climate Change. She also interacted with industry representatives at CII. She delivered a talk at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service on ¨The challenges of a European microstate in the context of the new international arena¨.

This first-ever ministerial-level official visit from Andorra to India is of historical significance and reflects India’s desire to engage with all States as we celebrate 75 years of independence.