Panama City, August 21 (EFE).- Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Pabitra Margarita, who is on an official visit to Panama, met on Wednesday with Panamanian authorities to strengthen bilateral relations in areas such as science, technology, health and economy.
The Indian Vice Chancellor is scheduled to be in Panama until Thursday, official sources confirmed to EFE, to meet with local authorities, economic entities and the Indian community.
The Indian Embassy in Panama City highlighted in a letter dated July 1.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha received Pabitra Margarita “in order to address issues on the common agenda at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels,” according to a statement issued by the Panamanian Foreign Ministry.
“This visit is a clear testimony to the relations of friendship and cooperation that unite our two peoples, who, despite their geographical distance, are united by common values such as democracy, freedom and respect for human dignity,” the Panamanian advisor said.
According to official information, the two sides “expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of science, technology, health, trade and investment.”
During her visit, Pabitra Margarita will head to the Panama Canal.
The Panamanian ministry stressed that “for India, the country with the largest population in the world and the fifth largest economy in the world, Panama is a gateway to Latin America through the Panama Canal, and a ‘hub’ for transportation and logistics services.” Foreigners.
He will also hold a meeting with members of the Indian community and pay tribute to the father of Indian independence and hero of non-violent struggle Mahatma Gandhi, with a wreath laid in front of the statue in his honour in the Panamanian capital.
“This community, made up of about 15,000 people, has been a fundamental pillar in the development of the Panamanian state, effectively contributing to the economic progress of our country, enriching this culturally diverse melting pot with its customs and traditions,” explained Martinez-Acha.
The visit of the Indian vice chancellor comes amid Panama’s efforts to curb the flow of migration through the Darien, a jungle bordering Colombia that serves as a route to North America for illegal immigrants from India.
The director of migration, Roger Mujica, confirmed this week that the Panamanian government is “coordinating (and) diplomatic agreements” with countries such as “Ecuador, India and others” to return citizens of those countries who enter through the Darien River. All this after US-funded flights began returning migrants who crossed that jungle.
So far, official information does not include the possibility of a dialogue between the two authorities to address this issue, but among those present at the meetings with the Indian Deputy Minister is the Director of Immigration in Panama.
The visit comes after Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar travelled to Panama in April last year on a historic two-day visit, becoming the first foreign minister from the Asian giant to visit the Central American country after more than six decades of bilateral relations. Efe
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