Colombia and India decide to expand their current cooperation and find new opportunities for interaction

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

During the 10th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, India and Colombia examined the current bilateral relations, including commerce, investment, energy, and IT, and they identified new areas of cooperation, such defence, renewable energy, and railroads. During the FOC on Tuesday, the parties also discussed international, multilateral, and regional topics of shared concern, according to a release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Enrique Rojas Rodriguez represented Colombia, while Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), led the Indian team.

According to the MEA, the two parties conducted a thorough assessment of all current bilateral relations during the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). This included trade and investment, energy and infrastructure, including railways, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, digital technology and space, consular matters, education and culture, and people-to-people relations. Later, in a post on X, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal added that the talks centred on evaluating the current bilateral relations and establishing new areas of collaboration, like in defence and railroads.

“Both the countries expressed satisfaction with the progress made across different sectors of engagement and agreed to not only deepen the ongoing engagement but also explore new avenues of cooperation,” according to the release from the MEA. Diplomatic ties between Colombia and India date back many years; they were formally established on January 19, 1959. In 2019, the two nations commemorated 60 years of diplomatic relations. India opened its embassy in Colombia in 1973, after Colombia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 1972.

The two countries’ connection has been stronger throughout time, and their areas of collaboration have expanded to include politics, business, and culture. Established in 1995, the Foreign Office Consultations mechanism provides a forum for ongoing communication between the two nations. On May 7, 2021, the final round of consultations was conducted virtually. The get-together in New Delhi is a big step towards preserving their cordial and vibrant partnership.