Visit of the Minister of State for External Affairs, Hon'ble Mr. Digvijay Singh
to Colombia from 6-8 August, 2002
PRESS RELEASE
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Hon'ble Mr Digvijay Singh, MOS (DS), paid an official visit to Bogota from 6-8 August, 2002 to attend ceremonies associated with the inauguration of President Álvaro Uribe Vélez.
On 6 August, MOS (DS) presented his credentials as the Leader of India's Special Mission to outgoing Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango. President Pastrana warmly welcomed the visit of MOS (DS) and conveyed his greetings to our President and Prime Minister. Recalling his State Visit to India in March, 2001, President Pastrana also expressed the hope that the close and friendly relations between India and Colombia will continue to prosper under the new Administration.
On 7 August, MOS (DS) attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new Colombian President, H.E. Mr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez, held in the Capitol of the Colombian Congress.
Following the ceremony, MOS (DS) attended the reception hosted by President Uribe in the Presidential Palace for Heads of Special Missions. MOS (DS) handed over the message of felicitations from our President to the new Colombian President and conveyed the support of the Government of India for President Uribe's determination to strengthen the authority of the Colombian State to curb terrorist violence. President Uribe extended his greetings to India's leadership and people. He thanked MOS (DS) for India's support for Colombia's struggle against narco-terrorist violence and conveyed that Colombia greatly values India's friendship and collaboration.
MOS (DS) held bilateral talks with H.E. Ms Carolina Barco Isakson, Colombia's new Minister for External Relations, on 8 August. MOS (DS) conveyed the felicitations of EAM on her assumption of office. Recalling the importance of the regular exchange of high-level visits which have been instrumental in giving an impetus to bilateral relations, MOS (DS) handed over a letter from EAM inviting Foreign Minister Barco to pay an official visit to India. Talks between MOS and FM Barco, which were held in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual understanding, provided an opportunity for a review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations in political, commercial and economic, cultural and technical fields. Both sides agreed to maintain and deepen their co-operation in combating the global menace of terrorism. MOS (DS) invited the Colombian President to inaugurate the solar energy project being installed under Ministry of External Affairs of India's technical co-operation programme at the Tyrona National Park of Colombia. This project, which will be India's largest such venture in Latin America, is expected to be ready for commissioning by October, 2002.
During his visit to Bogota, MOS (DS) also held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Roberto Tovar Faja, on 7 August. MOS (DS) invited FM Tovar to pay an official visit to India. Views were exchanged regarding the participation of RITES in the rehabilitation of the Costa Rican railroad. FM Tovar agreed to expedite decisions in this regard.
Costa Rica currently chairs the 19-member Rio Group comprising Latin American States. An annual dialogue between India and the Rio Group Troika at the level of Foreign Ministers has been institutionalised. MOS (DS) handed over to FM Tovar a proposed agenda for the next round of India-Rio Group Troika dialogue which is to be held in the margins of the UNGA in September, 2002.
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