Visit of Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs to Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba (November 4-10, 2025)

Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles concluded visits to three countries - Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba from 4 to 10 November 2025. The visits were undertaken for reaching out to stakeholders in these countries to strengthen bilateral relations, including by inauguration of new Indian Embassies in Ecuador and Bolivia.

2. In Ecuador, from 4 to 5 November, Shri Margherita called on President Daniel Noboa Azin, held meetings with Ms Maria Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, and also Agriculture Minister of Ecuador, on matters of mutual interest. Along with the Foreign Minister, Shri Margherita announced the opening of the Embassy of India in Quito and signed an MoU on Cooperation between the Indian and Ecuadorian Diplomatic Training Institutes. The Minister invited Ecuadorian candidates to continue utilising ITEC training slots, including in the areas of digital, AI and science & technology. Both sides agreed to hold the next Foreign Office Consultations in India in the first half of 2026. He offered a floral tribute at the monument of Heroes of August in Quito. The Minister also interacted with representatives from the business and Indian community in Ecuador.

3. Shri Margherita visited Bolivia to attend the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected President Mr. Rodrigo Paz and his Vice President Edmond Lara on 8th November in La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia. Following the ceremony, he had a brief meeting with the new President and assured India's continued support to Bolivia's growth and development of its people. The Minister offered floral tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located at Mallasa Park in La Paz Municipality, and along with planting a sapling under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shri Margherita inaugurated the new building of the Embassy of India in La Paz, participated in 150th year celebration of 'Vande Mataram', interacted with representatives from business, culture, Indian communities and also ITEC scholars.

4. In Cuba, from 9-10 November, Shri Margherita called on President Mr. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Eduardo Martinez Diaz, Deputy PM & Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Minister Mr. Oscar Perez-Oliva, and held detailed discussions on bilateral, regional, and multilateral matters of mutual interest. He also met with the Acting Foreign Minister of Cuba Mr. Gerardo Penalver Portal, to exchange views on ongoing cooperation and to explore new areas of engagement. During the visit, the Minister witnessed the signing of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and the Protocol on Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Cuba. Shri Margherita also paid floral tributes at the José Martí Memorial, the national hero of Cuba and at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Havana and visited the Fidel Castro Centre.

5. MoS handed over 20 tons of HADR relief materials to the Cuban Deputy Prime Ministers in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Several Deputy Ministers from Health, Industry, Foreign Trade & Cooperation, Tourism, were present at the ceremony. The HADR includes Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube, rehabilitation support items, food & daily utilities, medicines, medical equipment, power generators, shelter support and hygiene kits.

6. In all the three countries, MoS Margherita discussed the matters of strengthening bilateral relations, including in health and pharma, Ayurveda and Yoga, digital technologies such as DPI and UPI, AI & innovation, promoting trade, including in critical minerals, textiles and tourism and organising Indian films, fashion and food festivals to promote people to people contacts.

7. Minister of State Shri Margherita reiterated India's commitment to work with Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba, in all areas of mutual priorities in the spirit of South-South cooperation and global good.

New Delhi
November 12, 2024