New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Monday held a meeting with Vice President and Foreign minister of Colombia Marta Lucia Ramirez. Both the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Space sector.
"Had a productive meeting with Marta Lucia Ramirez, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Colombia. Discussed bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest. We signed MoU on Cooperation in Space," Lekhi tweeted after the meeting.
Earlier on Monday, she addressed the Indian community at an event organised by the Indian embassy in Colombia. The minister also met the representatives of Indian Associations in Colombia and invited them to be part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and participate in India’s transformation journey.
Lekhi is on an official visit to Colombia and New York from September 4 to 9. This is her first visit as Minister of State.
In 2019, India and Colombia celebrated 60 years of their diplomatic relations. Colombia is an important partner of India in Latin America and our relations with Colombia have been expanding particularly, in the economic and commercial sphere, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on September 2.
Bilateral trade with Colombia for the year 2020-21 stood at USD 2.27 billion, which is a significant increase from USD 1.85 billion over 2019-20 despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The visit of MOS to Colombia would provide an opportunity to review progress in our bilateral relations and further expand and strengthen this important partnership, the MEA said.
The last Ministerial visit from India took place in October 2018, when then Minister of State for External Affairs, General (retd.) V. K. Singh paid an official visit to Colombia.
During her visit to New York, MOS Lekhi is also scheduled to represent India at the UN Security Council Ministerial Open Debate on 'Transitions' under the agenda item 'United Nations Peacekeeping Operations' to be convened by the Irish Presidency on September 8.
Later, she is expected to meet with senior UN leadership and interact with the Indian community in New York, in celebration of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of India's independence, the MEA said.
