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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian firms should use Paraguay as launchpad for South America: MEA
Indian companies should consider Paraguay as a staging post and launchpad to expand their operations across South America, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday, following talks between the visiting Paraguayan delegation led by President Santiago Peña Palacios and the Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries also agreed to 'explore holding technical talks' on expanding the India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to enhance market access and boost both bilateral and inter-regional trade. At the meeting, Peña told the Indian delegation that Paraguay is one of the most open economies in the Mercosur region and South America more broadly, and urged India to take advantage of this. While Paraguay has a small population of around 7 million, and therefore a relatively small domestic market, it is strategically located adjacent to much larger markets. Owing to its central position in South America, Paraguay could serve as a launchpad for Indian companies seeking access to the broader region, said Secretary (East) P Kumaran at a press briefing after the talks. The Southern Common Market—Mercosur, by its Spanish initials—is a regional bloc with six members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. Venezuela is currently suspended from the group. 'Our companies would be looking at Paraguay as a kind of staging post, and therefore as a force multiplier,' Kumaran said. Indian companies already present in Paraguay include United Phosphorus Limited, which operates an agrochemicals production facility; Praj Industries, which produces biofuels; Aditya Birla Group, which has a trading office; and Tata Group, Mahindra, Royal Enfield, and Bajaj, which have distributorships for their vehicles. Peña, who arrived in India on Monday morning for a three-day visit, will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday to meet top Indian business leaders and companies. India is looking to collaborate with Paraguay in sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, defence, infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and mining. Kumaran noted that although there was no specific discussion on India's accession to the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), 'it is an idea that is being discussed within the ministry'. On the India–Mercosur PTA, Kumaran said India has expressed 'serious interest in expanding the scope and reach in terms of the range of products that the PTA covers', but that building consensus among Mercosur's five full members is necessary. 'We are talking to all the partners in the Mercosur region. What we need to do is also to agree on the terms of reference for those discussions, and then take it forward,' he said. During his talks with the Prime Minister, Peña also highlighted that Paraguay produces enough food to feed 70 million people—ten times its own population—and is therefore a major food exporter. 'We do buy soybean oil from them, and they are also willing to work with us on any other agricultural products we wish to import or collaborate on,' Kumaran said. Paraguay is the only country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, though it also maintains a trading relationship with China. However, its trade is highly concentrated, with imports mainly from China and Brazil, and exports mostly to Argentina and Brazil. Given that much of Paraguay's trade is with just three countries, there is a strong motivation to diversify trade to better manage risks. Kumaran said that India, as a large and growing economy, is a natural partner in this context. Peña said he viewed India as a major trade and investment partner. 'He invited Indian companies to invest in Paraguay and promised to facilitate such investments in an efficient manner,' Kumaran added. Earlier in the day, during delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi noted, 'You are visiting not just Delhi but also Mumbai, which shows your commitment to building stronger ties between the two countries.' Referring to the existing PTA with Mercosur, Modi said, 'We can work together to further expand it.'
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi expresses deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his 'deep appreciation' to Paraguay for its 'strong condemnation' of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as he held a 'comprehensive discussion' with President Santiago Pena Palacios in the national capital. According to the MEA, the two leaders held a comprehensive discussion at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, digitalisation, innovation and people-to-people links among others. During a press briefing, P Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), highlighted that both leaders 'unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms,' with President Pena extending deep solidarity with the victims and their families. President Pena is in India for a three-day state visit, which will conclude on June 4. 'Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack... as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and the government of India. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. On behalf of the Paraguayan people, President Pena expressed his deep solidarity with the victims and families of the terrorist attack,' Kumaran stated during the briefing. The April 22 terror attack took place in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 tourists in the name of religion. Two weeks later, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Kumaran further noted that during Pena's meeting with PM Modi at the Hyderabad House earlier today, both leaders welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) at the Secretary/Vice Ministerial level to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Recognising India's growing global economic role, the MEA emphasised President Pena's keen interest in attracting Indian investments to Paraguay. 'The two sides welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism at the Secretary/ Vice Ministerial level. The JCM will serve as a key platform to review and advance cooperation in priority areas of mutual interest. recognising India's growing global economic role, President Pina expressed keen interest in attracting Indian investments to Paraguay. He engaged with prominent Indian business leaders in Delhi. He is scheduled to travel tomorrow to Mumbai and interact with top Indian business leaders and companies,' Kumaran added. President Pena will also be meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening, where a banquet will be hosted. 'The two leaders held a comprehensive discussion on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digitalisation, innovation, disaster management, science and technology and people-to-people links. The President is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu in the evening at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where a banquet will be hosted for him,' Kurmaran stated. 'The bilateral relationship was expanded steadily with growing cooperation in sectors such as trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Paraguay is a growing trade partner for India in the Latin American region,' he added. Earlier in the day, President Pena paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. The visit is part of his three-day state visit to India, which will conclude on June 4. (ANI)
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
Starlight, still waters and the lure of the mangroves
A five-hour drive from Chennai, the mangroves of Pichavaram stretch across 1,400 hectares between the Vellar and Kollidam estuaries in Cuddalore district. For decades, mangroves were largely ignored, the spaces seen as nothing more than extensions of the sea. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Besides fishing, there were no other economic activities linked to these landscapes. Today, that image is changing. Stand-up paddler Kumaran Mahalingam, founder of the Mangrove Bay Eco Camp, has been training visitors in kayaking and paddling at Pichavaram for three years. 'Slow-moving non-motorised boats and water sport activities help people appreciate the mangroves,' says Kumaran. Pichavaram is gaining attention as a site for stargazing too. Bhavanandhi, founder of Star Voirs, an organisation that conducts astronomy workshops, says the region's clear skies make it ideal for night-sky observations. 'Light and industrial pollution make stargazing difficult in places such as Chidambaram. But Pichavaram has none of those drawbacks,' he says. Recognised as part of the Central Asian Flyway, Pichavaram is also a hotspot for birders. 'Between Oct and Feb, we record more than 20,000 birds, mostly small wading species,' says Jamil Hussain Ibrahim, a doctoral researcher from Thiruvalluvar University who studies the region. Efforts by the forest department to expand mangrove cover using the 'fish bone method', a technique of planting saplings along canal-like trenches, are also influencing bird activity. 'The habitat changes are creating seasonal variations in bird sightings,' he says. R Jayasurya, a researcher who studies otter populations in the region, says the shy mammals prefer calm, shaded environments. 'The noise and pollution from motorboats can disturb their movements and drive them away,' he says. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The benefits go beyond sightings. Otters depend on fish as their primary food source, and cleaner backwaters support aquatic life. 'By avoiding fuel-powered boats, we protect the food chain,' says Jayasurya. While the forest department has demarcated a portion of the mangroves as reserve forest, tourism activities are restricted to the buffer zone. Boat rides are managed by the tourism department. 'But the lack of coordination between the tourism and forest departments is getting in the way of tapping into the full ecotourism potential of the region,' says Jamil. Efforts are on to better involve local communities more. Kumaran has trained three local fishermen, who now help manage the eco camp. 'Local participation will help with long-term conservation,' he says. A recent report by Anna University, 'Blue carbon monitoring for mangroves of Tamil Nadu', shows the state's mangrove cover has doubled in just three years — from 4,500 hectares in 2021 to 9,039 hectares in 2024. The Cuddalore region, of which Pichavaram is a part, stores the highest amount of carbon per hectare in TN. It stores 249 tonnes of carbon a hectare. From 1930 to 1994, the degraded mangrove cover had grown from 70 hectares to 565 hectares because of various reasons. Unregulated cattle grazing and tree felling had severely damaged the ecosystem. Studies by M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) found a forest management system known as 'coupe felling', where trees are harvested every 20 or 30 years for revenue, damaged the mangrove. By exposing large areas to direct sunlight, the practice led to soil water evaporation and an increase in salinity levels, making regeneration almost impossible. Regeneration efforts in Pichavaram began in 1994, when MSSRF, in collaboration with the state forest department, launched a programme to restore the degraded mangroves. But public recognition of the importance of mangroves came only in the wake of natural disasters such as the tsunami in 2004 and Cyclone Thane in 2011. Described as 'nature's shield' mangroves buffer coastal communities against cyclones and tidal surges. They also prevent soil erosion, purify water and absorb carbon dioxide. In the aftermath of the tsunami, TN implemented a dedicated project in 2005-2006. In 2022, the Pichavaram mangrove forest was designated a Ramsar site, marking it as a wetland of international importance. More recently, funds have been allocated under the TN-SHORE mission for conservation. 'Teaching people to appreciate the mangrove ecosystem and tapping into its ecotourism potential can ensure its long-term protection,' says R Ramasubramanian, senior fellow, coastal systems research at MSSRF. 'In western countries, tourists who visit mangroves do fishing and cook their own catch. That kind of culture needs to pick up here.' 'Though Puducherry's mangroves also have water sports facilities, the river there is highly polluted because of industrial effluents. That gives Pichavaram an edge when it comes to ecotourism.' The govt is taking efforts to tap the ecotourism potential in mangroves, says Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forests department. 'Pichavaram was chosen under the climate change programme. Similarly, in Muthupet mangroves in Nagapattinam, we have constructed a jetty and started boating. Soon we will have eateries and play areas,' she says. 'We are exploring a range of boats starting from traditional boats to solar-powered boats which can minimise any kind of pollution and at the same time provide a better tourist experience.'
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pandian Stores actor Kumaran Thangarajan to make his Tamil movie debut in ‘Kumaara Sambavam'
In an exciting development for fans of both television and cinema, , known for his role in the hit TV serial , is set to make his as the lead in the upcoming film . The film is directed by , with actor playing an important role. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kumaran Thangarajan's journey to the big screen highlights his versatility and talent. He began his acting career in 2014 with the Eeramana Rojave, where he portrayed Maran Natarasan. Over the years, he made his mark in the television industry with notable appearances in shows such as Jodi No. 1, Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva, and Maanada Mayilada. In 2018, Kumaran took on the lead role of Kumaran in Pandian Stores, a popular that became a major hit, earning him widespread recognition and love from Tamil television audiences. With Kumaara Sambavam, Kumaran Thangarajan is set to take on a new challenge in his career, and his fans are eagerly awaiting to see how he translates his small-screen charm to the silver screen. This debut marks a significant milestone, and audiences are sure to be thrilled by his new cinematic journey.
