India-Ecuador agreement on exemption of visas

New Deli, June 23: India and Ecuador today signed two agreements -- one on exemption of visas for diplomatic and official passports and the other on cultural cooperation.

The agreements were signed in Equador's capital Quito by visiting Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma and his Equadorian counterpart Maria Fernanda Espinosa, an External Affairs Minister press release here said.

Mr Sharma also held separate talks with Ecuadorian authorities in the energy and public works sectors, expressing India's interest in participation in Ecuador's hydrocarbons sector and in construction of rail roads.

In the spirit of south-south cooperation, Mr Sharma announced that India would donate a large volume of generic medicines to Ecuador.

A few Indian pharmaceutical companies are present in Ecuador and the Ecuadorian public health policy is being revised to put more emphasis on generic medicines.

The two Ministers also discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues.

Mr Sharma invited Ms Espinosa to visit India at a convenient time, which she accepted.

Mr Sharma called on newly-elected Equadorian President Rafael Correa Delgado and invited him to visit India, which he also accepted.

President Correa, himself a professional economist, praised India's rapid economic development and equitable policies. He emphasised the need for greater interaction between the two countries.

Mr Sharma conveyed greetings from President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to President Correa and expressed appreciation of the close relations between the two countries, symbolised by the opening of an Ecuadorian Embassy in Delhi in early 2005 and the visit of the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister to India in July 2006.

The Equadorian authorities thanked Mr Sharma for the External Affairs Ministry's gesture in organising a special course on Information Technology for 60 Ecuadorian students, from August to November 2007.

Mr Sharma also addressed a gathering of government officials, diplomats, media and members of the prestigious think thank FLACSO on the topic 'Foreign Policy of India and South-South Cooperation'.

UNI