India and Colombia sign MOU on Defence Cooperation

India and Colombia sign MOU on Defence Cooperation

On 4 February, the Minister of Defence of Colombia, Dr. Juan Manuel Santos, along with the Ambassador of India Shri Deepak Bhojwani signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Defence between the two countries. The ceremony was also attended among others by Vice Minister of Defence Sergio Jaramillo, Chief of Armed Forces, General Freddy Padilla de Leon, Chiefs of Air Force and Navy, Vice Chief of Army and other senior officials.

The MOU establishes the basis for cooperation in this vital area between the two partners, who share common threats of terrorism, narco-traffic and other dangers.

Minister Santos declared after the signing that Colombia looks forward to increasing its partnership with India in this sector.  Ambassador Bhojwani noted the admiration and respect India had for Colombia, which had overcome tremendous difficulties to establish an atmosphere of security and peace over most of its territory.   Ambassador also referred to previous visit of Minister Santos to India in November 2007 and the visits by Minister of State of Defence of India, Rao Inderjit Singh, to Colombia in 2006, and of Vice Chief of Army Staff of India in February 2008.

The Deputy Chief of the Colombian Air Force General Fernando Soler Torres accompanied by Brigadier General Hugo Enrique Acosta Tellez of the Colombian Air Force visit India to attend Aero India 2009 11-14 February, 2009, yet another step  forward in the bilateral relationship.

Press release from the Ministry of Defense (in spanish)

Press release from the Presidential house (in spanish)

Ambassador Bhojwani and Minister Santos during the
signing of the MOU