The Government of India and the Government of Guatemala held the second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) virtually on May 5, 2021. During the discussion, both sides appreciated the growing trade relations between the countries which reached US $ 314.27 million in year 2019-2020.
During the FOC, the Guatemalan side also acknowledged the medical assistance (pharmaceuticals & vaccines) provided by the Government of India to Guatemala to help in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The two sides mutually agreed that ‘global cooperation and solidarity are key to fighting the pandemic and achieving economic recovery’.
“They exchanged views on regional & international issues of common interest and agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the multilateral arena,” the Ministry of External Affairs in a tweet said.
According to an official statement, both sides also acknowledged the strong institutional bond between India and SICA and agreed to explore holding of the next India-SICA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Backgrounder: India- Guatemala Relations
The visit of the then Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma to Guatemala, the first-ever ministerial visit, in June 2007 took the bilateral relationship between both the countries to new heights. It was after this meeting, India and Guatemala mutually agreed to open Embassies in their respective countries.
In 2011, the then Minister of State for External Affairs in presence of the then President of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom Caballeros inaugurated the Embassy building in Guatemala. The diplomatic relations between both countries were first established in the year 1970.
Bilateral agreements:
In 1981, India had signed an agreement with Guatemala on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Also, an agreement for visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders between both countries was signed in the year 2015.
India-Guatemala Trade Relation:
Major items of export- Three-wheelers and parts, Two-wheeler Vehicles and accessories, Pharmaceutical products, Articles of Iron & Steel, cotton, Machinery & Mechanical Appliances and Parts thereof, Organic chemicals, Rubber & articles thereof, Electrical Machinery and equipment and parts thereof, miscellaneous edible preparations, etc.
Major items of import- Wood & articles thereof, wood charcoal, Sugar and Sugar confectionery, Coffee, Cardamom, and Aluminium & articles thereof.
Aid/Assistance:
Earlier in February 2021, India donated 200,000 doses of Made-in -India COVID-19 vaccine to Guatemala.
In 2009, following the Guatemala Government’s food insecurity declaration, India extended the assistance of US$250,000 to Guatemala. Also, India in October 2005 donated US$50,000 worth of medicines to Guatemala following Hurricane Stan.
According to the data published on the Ministry of External Affairs website, “India donated US$ 100,000 for Disaster Relief in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Guatemala in November 2012, the US $ 200,000 for Drought relief in December 2014.”
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