Indian President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, was invited to Bolivia on an official state visit from March 28th-30th, 2019 by the President of Plurinational State of Bolivia H. E. Evo Morales Ayma. This visit was a part of a three-country Latin American tour (Croatia, Bolivia and Chile), with the aim to strengthen India’s ties across investment, trade and renewable energy.
The visit to Boliviahas historical significance, since it is the first high-level visit between both countries, since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Matters of mutual interest, across bilateral, regional and multilateral issues were discussed. During his visit, President Kovind was conferred with the highest State Honour of Bolivia i.e. the Condor de los Andes en el Grado de Gran Collar.
In order to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, India gifted Bolivia to busts of Gandhi, which will be placed in La Paz and Santa Cruz. A plaque naming an auditorium after him, at the Universidad Autonama Gabriel Rene Moreno, was also unveiled. In an address to the students, the relevance of Gandhi to 21st century global concerns were emphasised upon, vis-à-vis his advocacy of sustainability, ecological sensitivity and living in harmony with nature. President Kovind heralded the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as Gandhian philosophy in action.
The Indian President also announced a US $100 million Line of Credit to Bolivia for the financing of development sectors. This is part of the development cooperation partnership under the framework of South-South cooperation. He also offered to double the training slots under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation programme.
In reaffirming their mutual commitment to reformed multilateralism, both leaders emphasised upon the need to comprehensively reform the UN Security Council (UNSC), in order to make it more representative, democratic, reflective, effective and accountable to better serve the realities of the 21st century as well as address the threats and challenges to international peace and security. Bolivia reiterated its support for India’s permanent candidature to the UNSC.
Both leaders also called upon countries to take concerted and decisive actions against globally proscribed terrorists and related outfits, thereby calling for the early finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Within this context, Bolivia has strongly condemned the Pulwama attack in India and has
India thanked Bolivia for wholeheartedly supporting and participating in the International Day of Yoga every year. Cooperation between India and Bolivia would also extend to health sector, with exchange of best practices as well as knowledge about traditional medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
In addition, both countries have agreed to promote their tourist linkages by building upon their rich cultural heritage, as well as the historical sites and monuments that they host.
India Outbound
April 1, 2019
source https://indiaoutbound.org/indian-bolivian-diplomatic-relations/
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