New Delhi [India]: Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita (MoS) will embark on an official foreign visit to five countries from August 15 to 24.
During his visit, he will travel to the Dominican Republic (15-16 August 2024), Guatemala (17-19 August 2024), El Salvador (19 August 2024), Panama (20-22 August 2024), and Trinidad & Tobago (23-24 August 2024). This will be his first foreign visit as Minister of State.
“Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita (MoS) will pay an official visit to Dominican Republic (15-16 August 2024), Guatemala (17-19 August 2024), El Salvador (19 August 2024), Panama (20-22 August 2024) and Trinidad & Tobago (23-24 August 2024). This will be his first foreign visit as Minister of State,” as per a release from the MEA.
In the Dominican Republic, MoS will attend the formal swearing-in-ceremony of H.E. Luis Abinader, President-elect of the Dominican Republic. MoS will interact with members of the Indian diaspora.
In Guatemala, MoS will call on H.E. Mr. Cesar Bernardo Arevalo de Leon, President of the Republic of Guatemala. He will have a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Carlos Ramiro Martinez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala to discuss bilateral ties.
During the visit, MoS will meet members of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala, Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF). He will also visit Antigua, the UNESCO Heritage city, MEA stated in the release.
“In El Salvador, MoS will call on H.E. Mr. Nayib Bukele, President of the Republic of El Salvador, have a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Alexandra Hill T, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, hold a series of other ministerial interactions and engagements, and also interact with Indian Diaspora,” MEA said in the release.
In Panama, MoS will have delegation level talks with H.E. Javier Martinez, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Panama. He will call on H.E. Jose Raul Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama. He will visit the University of Panama to pay floral tributes at the Bust of Mahatma Gandhi and plant a sapling as a symbolic gesture. He will also visit Panama Canal and Panama Pacifico Free Trade/ Industrial Zone facilities and interact with the Diplomatic Community and prominent members of the Indian Diaspora during a reception hosted in the honour of MoS, MEA stated in the release.
In Trinidad and Tobago, MoS will have a meeting with H.E. Dr. Amery Browne, Minister for Foreign & CARICOM Affairs. He will call on H.E. Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He will also interact with members of the Indian community.
“Visit of MoS to these five countries reaffirms India’s commitment to further strengthen our ties with the countries in Latin America and Caribbean region. It provides an opportunity to explore and advance our partnership in newer areas of mutual interest,” MEA said in the release.