Latest news with #SantiagoPena
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Paraguay interested in importing Made in India 'Vande Bharat' trains: Ashwini Vaishnaw
ANI 03 Jun 2025, 11:35 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw met the president of Paraguay, Santiago Pena and discussed opportunities regarding the growth of Indian his meeting with Vaishnaw on Monday, Paraguay's president showed interest in importing India's Vande Bharat trains. On the other hand, he also invited India to join the Central Bi-Oceanic Railway Corridor project (connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans). Ashwini Vaishnaw said on social media platform 'X' 'Called on President H.E. Mr. @SantiPenap of Paraguay. Paraguay has expressed keen interest in importing India's Vande Bharat trains and has invited India to join the Central Bi-Oceanic Railway Corridor project (connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans).' Vande Bharat is a reflection of the Government of India's efforts towards strengthening the 'Make in India' campaign. The first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off on February 15, 2019, on the New Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi train has a capability to run up to a maximum speed of 160 kmph and has travel classes like Shatabdi Train but with better Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, a Railways Production unit, has been the force behind a completely in-house design and manufacture, computer modelling and working with a large number of suppliers for system integration in just 18 objective behind the train is to upgrade maintenance technologies and methodologies and achieve improvement in productivity and performance of all Railway assets and manpower, which inter alia would cover reliability, availability, utilisation and Vande Bharat comes with different features such as intelligent braking system which enables better acceleration and deceleration. All coaches in the train are equipped with automatic doors; a GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system, on-board hotspot Wi-Fi for entertainment purposes, and very comfortable seating. The executive class also has rotating chairs. (ANI)
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
India & Paraguay: Revitalising A South-South Axis
Last Updated: The deepening engagement is not merely transactional; it is deeply interwoven with India's long-standing commitment to leading the Global South The visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena to India is a pivotal moment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing it as 'historic". The visit firmly underlines Paraguay as a key partner and an important member in India's Latin American outreach. It is also a crucial element in India's broader strategy to revitalise its South-South cooperation and reinforce its burgeoning leadership role within the Global South. President Santiago Pena's visit to India marks only the second time a Paraguayan President has visited India and the first-such visit in recent decades. The visit is built upon a foundation of trust, with India's support to Paraguay during the Covid-19 pandemic through vaccine supplies. Discussions between the two leaders covered a wide array of sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, technology, renewable energy, health, critical minerals, railways, and people-to-people contacts. Both leaders want to enhance trade linkages and explore new investment opportunities. PM Modi emphasised that these talks would introduce 'new dimensions" to India-Latin America relations. President Pena's itinerary includes a visit to Mumbai, where he will engage with the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, and tech leaders, and is aimed at broadening bilateral engagement. The focused engagement with Paraguay is indicative of India's wider, strategic pivot towards Latin America. The region is vital for India's economic diversification, particularly as the 'trade weaponisation' era commences. Latin America has already become one of India's most important export markets for automobiles, accounting for nearly half of its motorcycle exports and a quarter of its car exports in 2024. Notably, India now exports more cars to Chile than to the United States, with Peru being the next significant market. It marks a shift in India's global export strategy. Resource security is another critical driver. Latin America supplies approximately 15-20 per cent of India's petroleum imports and provides significant quantities of vegetable oils and agricultural products. Beyond this, the region holds abundant reserves of critical minerals—copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths—essential for India's energy transition. Major agreements are in place: Chile's Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, has committed to selling copper concentrates to Kutch Copper, following Chilean President Gabriel Boric's visit to India in April 2025, which also announced a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Similarly, Brazil's Petrobras is set to supply six million barrels of oil annually to Bharat Petroleum, with plans to increase this to 24 million barrels per year, signifying a crucial diversification of Petrobras's customer base away from its heavy concentration on China. Argentina's state-owned oil company, YPF, has also signed a deal with Indian firms to export up to 10 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually, alongside cooperation on lithium and other critical minerals. This deepening engagement is also opening up the Latin American market for Indian companies. Indian automobile and pharmaceutical firms are establishing manufacturing units in Latin America to leverage lower tariffs for exports to the US, capitalising on the US's existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 11 Latin American countries. Tata Consultancy Services already employs 2,000 people in Peru and Chile. It is a significant evolution in the India-Latin America relationship. Leadership in the Global South: A Core Tenet India's outreach to Latin America is linked to its deep-seated commitment to South-South cooperation. India boasts a long and distinguished history of advocating for developing nations, including co-sponsoring the 1955 Bandung Conference and playing a pivotal role in the founding of the 1961 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which now comprises 120 nations. It was also an inaugural member of the Group of 77 (G-77) in 1964, a key intergovernmental organisation dedicated to fostering South-South collaboration for development. In contemporary global forums, India continues to champion the cause of the Global South. At the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi passionately underscored the challenges faced by these nations, including critical issues such as food, fuel, and fertiliser crises exacerbated by global conflicts. India's leadership played a crucial role in securing permanent G20 membership for the African Union, an initiative that originated during India's own 'Voice of the Global South Summit' in January 2023. India has subsequently hosted multiple such summits, including the third virtual iteration in August 2024, involving dignitaries from 123 countries, embodying the ethos of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas'. President Santiago Pena's historic visit to India serves as a powerful symbol of India's re-energised South-South axis. It concretely demonstrates India's deliberate and strategic shift towards Latin America, a region critical for its economic diversification and resource security. This deepening engagement is not merely transactional; it is deeply interwoven with India's long-standing commitment to leading the Global South, fostering trust, and offering an alternative model of cooperation based on shared aspirations rather than conditionalities. By blending robust economic diplomacy with its principled stance on international collaboration, India is not only securing its future but also actively shaping a more balanced and equitable global order, embodying its pursuit of true 'strategic autonomy." About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:33 IST News explainers India & Paraguay: Revitalising A South-South Axis
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
PM Modi expresses deep appreciation to Paraguay for its strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack
New Delhi: 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. 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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Paraguay President joins PM Modi in condemning Pahalgam attack
NEW DELHI: PM Modi held talks with the visiting Paraguay President, Santiago Pena, underlining new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas including digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, and defence. Modi also expressed deep appreciation for the South American country's strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack, saying the two countries stood united in the fight against terrorism. The PM said there's immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking. "Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations. On behalf of all Paraguayans, Pena expressed his deep solidarity with victims and families of the terror attack," said MEA secretary (east) P Kumaran. On trade and economic ties, Modi said India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR and the two sides can work together to expand it. MERCOSUR is a South American trading bloc originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as member states. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo "India and Paraguay are integral parts of the Global South. Our hopes, aspirations and challenges are similar. And this is why we can learn from each other's experiences to deal with challenges effectively," said Modi, adding, "We are pleased that India could extend support to Paraguay by sharing its vaccines during Covid. We look forward to continuing this spirit of cooperation by sharing more of our capabilities. " The two sides also welcomed establishment of a joint commission mechanism at the secretary level.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
PM Modi, Paraguayan Prez Pena hold talks on agriculture, pharma, technology
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena at Hyderabad House. The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in the fields on agriculture, Pharma, technology, renewable energy, health. Further, President Pena strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the Indian people. The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. Sharing some pictures of the meet on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, 'PM @narendramodi held wide-ranging talks with President @SantiPenap of Paraguay at Hyderabad House. They discussed enhancing cooperation in the fields on agriculture, Pharma, technology, renewable energy, health, critical minerals, railways & people to people contacts.' 'President @SantiPenap strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam & expressed solidarity with the Indian people. Both sides also exchanged views on global & regional issues of mutual interest,' he added. Further, PM Modi stated on X, 'Had a productive meeting with the President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena in Delhi. Paraguay is a valued partner in South America and our nations are connected by shared values.' 'Our talks covered diverse subjects, prime among which was close economic cooperation. There is immense potential in boosting trade linkages. We see sectors such as digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health and space as key areas where our nations can work together,' he added. Notably, Paraguay President is in India at the invitation of PM Modi from June 2 to 4. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and business representatives. President Pena will also visit Mumbai, before returning to Paraguay on 04 June 2025. In Mumbai, President Pena will meet the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators and tech leaders. The State Visit of President Pena will be his first visit to India and only the second visit by a President of Paraguay, as per MEA. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, cultivating warm and friendly ties between the two nations. Both countries have since developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. (ANI)
