GUATEMALA CITY: Second Foreign Office Consultations between India and Guatemala

GUATEMALA
CITY: The 2nd
Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Guatemala were held
virtually on 05 May 2021. The Indian side was led by Ms. Riva Ganguly Das,
Secretary (East) and the Guatemalan side was led by Mr. Carlos Ramiro Martínez,
Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guatemala.

During the FOC, both sides noted their warm and traditionally friendly
relations and comprehensively reviewed the current status of bilateral
relations in all fields including political, economic, cultural, trade and
consular. They discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the
fields of agriculture, science and technology, space, energy, education, health
and traditional medicine and tourism.

Both sides discussed the COVID 19 situation and emphasized that global
cooperation and solidarity are key to fighting the pandemic and achieving
economic recovery. The Guatemalan side appreciated India’s role in extending
assistance to the Guatemala and other countries in LAC region over the last
year, including by way of supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

The two sides acknowledged that trade is an important pillar of India-Guatemala
relations and expressed satisfaction at the growing trade which reached US$
314.27 million in 2019-2020 with Indian exports at US$ 291.32 million and
imports at US$ 22.95 million. Both sides agreed that there is great potential
to further expand their trade relationship.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of
common interest and agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the multilateral
arena. They acknowledged the strong institutional bond between India and SICA
and agreed to explore holding of the next India-SICA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
at a mutually convenient date.