Bolivia–India relations
Bolivia |
India |
---|
Bolivia and India maintain diplomatic relations.
History
The Embassy of India in
The first India-Bolivia Foreign Office Consultations were held in La Paz on 20 November 2014. Several ministerial level visits between the two countries have taken place.[1]
President Ram Nath Kovind was on a visit to Bolivia from March 28 to 30, 2019. This was the first visit by an Indian president to Bolivia.
Trade
Bilateral trade between Bolivia and India totaled US$314.684 million in 2015–16. India exported $74.432 million worth of goods to Bolivia, and imported $240.252 million in 2015–16.[1] The main commodities exported by India to Bolivia are automobiles, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, machinery, rubber and plastic products and yarns and textiles. The major commodities imported by India from Bolivia are gold, leather and animal feed.[1]
The two countries are negotiating a BIPPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement).[1]
Indian firm
Indian pesticides company UPL has an office in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors retails its vehicles through an authorized dealer in Bolivia.[1]
Defence
In May 2009, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs turned down a request from Bolivia for a line of credit to purchase seven HAL Dhruvs for the Bolivian Air Force.[5] Bolivian Defence Minister Reymi Ferreira and COFEDENA General Manager Col. Felipe Eduardo Vasquez Moya visited Goa in March 2016 to participate DEFEXPO 2016.[6][7]
Cultural relations
Bolivia and India signed an agreement on cultural co-operation in 1997.[1]
According to a report by hotel bookings website Hotels.com, Bolivian tourists spent the most money in India in the first six months of 2016, spending an average of ₹12,128 (US$150) during the period, 28% higher than they spent in the first 6 months of 2015.[9]
Foreign aid
India provided financial support to install solar lighting at the
In September 2016, India donated $3.3 million to establish a center of excellence in technology in Bolivia. At the ceremony to sign the agreement, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced that the country would seek India's help to build its first ever pharmaceutical plant in the city of Cochabamba.[10]
Citizens of Bolivia are eligible for scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.[11][1]
In March 2019, 8 MoUs were signed between India and Bolivia. These MoUs were signed in the fields of culture, mining, visa waiver arrangement for diplomats, the exchange between diplomatic academics, space, traditional medicine, establishment of center of excellence in IT and Bi-Oceanic Railway projects.
Indians in Bolivia
As of December 2016, there are around 100 Indians in Bolivia. They are primarily involved in retail, transportation, agriculture, and religious communities.[1]
In March 2019, President of Bolivia Evo Morales Ayma honored Ram Nath Kovind with the highest State Honour of Bolivia 'Condor de Los Andres en el grado de Gran Collar' in Santa Cruz.
In March 2019, A Plaque of Mahatama Gandhi Hall was inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the Gabriel Rene Moreno University in Santa Cruz.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "India – Bolivia Relations" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. December 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Desai, Ronak D. "A New Era For India-Latin America Relations?". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
- ^ "Naveen Jindal's Bolivia Exit - Another Lesson Learnt | Forbes India Blog". Forbes India. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Dube, Ryan (26 August 2014). "Bolivia to Appeal Ruling Favoring India's Jindal in El Mutún Dispute". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Shukla, Ajai (23 May 2009). "MEA shoots down defence ministry's helicopter export". Business Standard India. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Defence Expo 2016: For the first time, two Senior Ministers from Bolivia in India for bilateral cooperation". The Economic Times. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Mitra, Devirupa. "Bolivia, On Hunt for Indian Investment, Wants to Close Chapter on Jindal Dispute - The Wire". thewire.in. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Bhandary, Sachin (19 February 2016). "The Bollywood dancers of Bolivia". www.livemint.com/. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Tourists from Bolivia spent most in India H1 of 2016: Report". India Today. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Bolivia, India in talks to build $350 mn pharmaceutical plant". www.efe.com. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Home > Partner Countries > Bolivia". Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.