India–Paraguay relations

India–Paraguay relations
Map indicating locations of India and Paraguay

India
Paraguay
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of India in AsunciónEmbassy of Paraguay in New Delhi
Envoy
Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia[1]Ambassador Genaro Vicente Pappalardo[2]

Diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay were established in 1961.

History

Diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay were established on 13 September 1961.[3] Paraguay opened its embassy in India in March 2006. The embassy is jointly accredited to Sri Lanka. Paraguay also maintains Honorary Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.[3][4] Before 2022, India used to be represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an Honorary Consulate in Asunción.[5]

In May 2012, Fernando Lugo became the first Paraguayan President to visit India. He was accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Commerce, and other senior government officials.[4]

Paraguay supported India's bid for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2015–17.[4]

On 30 December 2020, the Union Cabinet of India approved the opening an embassy in Asunción.[6] The embassy was inaugurated in 2022.[7]

Bilateral agreements

An agreement between India and Paraguay provides visa-free travel privileges to holders of Diplomatic and Official passports since 1996.[4]

Economic relations

Bilateral trade between India and Paraguay totaled US$212 million in 2015, registering a growth of 27% over the previous year. India exported $145 million worth of goods to Paraguay and imported $67 million worth of commodities. The main commodities exported from India to Paraguay are organic chemicals, vehicles, auto parts, cosmetics, machinery, pharmaceuticals, plastics, sound and image devices, aluminium, and rubber products. The main commodities exported from Paraguay to India are soya oil (94% of imports), sunflower oil, leather and wood.[4]

Citizens of Paraguay are eligible for scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme. Many Paraguayan diplomats have received training in the Foreign Service Institute of India.[4]

Indian diaspora in Paraguay

As of December 2016, around 600 Indians, 200 of whom are Indian citizens, reside in Paraguay, primarily in the city of Ciudad del Est in south-eastern Paraguay. The community is mostly of Gujarati and Sindhi origin. They are primarily engaged in trade, wholesale and retail businesses.[4]

Indian embassy in Paraguay

The Embassy of India in Asunción is the upcoming diplomatic mission of the Republic of India to Paraguay.[8]

Paraguay has been under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Buenos Aires since 1961.[9] Plan to set up a new resident embassy in Paraguay was announced December 30, 2020.[10]

Dinesh Bhatia is the current Indian Ambassador to Paraguay.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "Embassy of India, Buenos Aires, Argentina : Honorary Consul General in Paraguay". Archived from the original on 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  2. ^ "Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in India". Archived from the original on 2017-01-05. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  3. ^ a b "Brief history of diplomatic relations between Paraguay and India". Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in India. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "India - Paraguay Bilateral Relations" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Honorary Consul General in Paraguay". Embassy of India, Buenos Aires. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  6. ^ Service, Tribune News. "India to open three new embassies". The Tribune. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Jaishankar inaugurates Indian Embassy in Paraguay". The Hindu. PTI. 2022-08-23. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  8. ^ "India on a diplomatic spree! To expand its footprints in South America with opening of new missions in 2021". The Financial Express. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  9. ^ "Embassy of India, Buenos Aires, Argentina : India and Paraguay". www.indembarg.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  10. ^ Delhi, Suhasini Haidarnew (2020-12-30). "India to open missions in Estonia, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  11. ^ "Dinesh Bhatia concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Paraguay". mea.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  12. ^ "Repatriation of Indians begins from Argentina; New Delhi gifts medicines to Paraguay & Uruguay". WION. Retrieved 2021-10-10.