India, Ecuador to boost coop, agree on UN reforms

New Delhi, Jul 18: India and Ecuador today agreed to strengthen cooperation in various sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals and trade and expressed commitment to UN Security Council (UNSC) reforms and South-South Cooperation.

The two countries also signed four pacts including for cooperation between their respective Foreign Services Institutes, ''gainful employment'' of dependents of embassy staff, boosting educational and cultural ties and exemption of visa requirement for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Ecuador Foreign Minister Francisco Carrion Mena and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma who held talks here today, said at a joint press conference that the two countries had identified various sectors including energy, petroleum and pharmaceuticals for cooperation.

The Ecuador Foreign Minister who is on a five-day official visit to India, will meet Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath tomorrow.

A Joint Communique issued after the talks said the two countries had agreed to promote and diversify trade and encourage investment in collaboration with the private sector.

UNI