Smt., Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs On January 20, 2023, Meenakashi Lekhi( MOS) paid a bilateral visit to Bolivia to cap off her most recent four-nation official trip to the Latin America and Caribbean. Nearly four years had passed since the President of India’s’s State Visit to Bolivia in March 2019 when she made her first trip to the nation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Mr. Rogelio Mayta, was introduced to MOS during the visit, and they had in-depth conversations about all aspects of bilateral, regional, as well as multilateral relations. Additionally, she had conversations with Mr. Benjamin Juan Carlos Blanco Ferri and Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration Erwin Freddy Mamani Machaca.
The bilateral discussions covered a wide range of significant topics, including long-term partnerships in the lithium and battery industries, collaboration in metals and minerals, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medical systems, space, development and capacity building, trade and business promotion, energy infrastructure development, exchanges between people and cultures, and the ease of business travel. To further improve bilateral engagement and produce desired outcomes, it was decided to take action on a number of issues. Bolivians were invited by MOS to use the capacity-building assistance provided by India through ITEC, ICCR, SSFS, and other specialized centers of excellence.
Regional issues and potential areas for cooperation were discussed by both sides. Reformed multilateralism, climate change, and other topics of mutual interest were discussed.
MOS and Vice Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani traveled to Lake Titicaca to examine its civilisational, cultural, and historical significance in an effort to foster cultural appreciation and understanding. On the shores of this holy lake, the International Day of Yoga used to be observed. In addition, MOS spoke with the authorities at the Tiwanaku Archaeological Complex and Museum. As part of our development cooperation with Bolivia, the government of India helped with the lighting of the complex.
India’s’s importance to its relations with the Andean nation is demonstrated by the MOS visit to Bolivia, which also confirms its commitment to further intensify engagement. India is one of Bolivia’s’s top four trading partners globally, and bilateral trade is expanding. The visit is anticipated to strengthen ties and contribute to realizing the potential of shared interests.
