S Jaishankar was on a two-day visit to Paraguay, the first ever by an Indian Foreign Minister

India and Paraguay have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in various areas including trade & commerce and agriculture.

The issue figured in bilateral discussions during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Paraguay on Sunday and Monday. This was the first ever visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to the Republic of Paraguay and came as the two countries completed the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

In a meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Paraguay Julio Cesar Arriola, both sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation in various areas including trade and commerce, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, technical and development cooperation, solar energy, and MERCOSUR, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

They exchanged views on regional and global affairs, and agreed to continue supporting each other in multilateral fora and promote a rules based international order. EAM Jaishankar underlined that the supply of vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic was a statement of solidarity by India, the MEA said.

The newly opened Indian Embassy in Asuncion was jointly inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar and Paraguay's Foreign Minister Arriola. The inauguration was attended by dignitaries from the Paraguayan government including Interior Minister Federico A Gonzalez. Other guests included members of the diplomatic corps, business community and Indian diaspora in Paraguay.

"Jointly inaugurated the new Indian Embassy in Paraguay with FM Julio Cesar Arriola. Thank Minister of Interior @FedericoA_GF for his presence. A reiteration of our strong bilateral relationship and our long-standing multilateral cooperation," EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

The Indian External Affairs Minister also called on President Mario Abdo Benitez, at the presidential palace and conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Thank President of Paraguay @MaritoAbdo for receiving me. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciate his guidance on further advancing our bilateral relationship and global partnership," EAM Jaishankar said on Twitter.

During his visit, EAM Jaishankar addressed a business gathering at the Industrial Union of Paraguay in presence of Commerce and Industry Minister of Paraguay Luis Alberto Castiglioni.

"The establishment of a resident Indian Embassy will spur an expansion of our economic engagement. Trade and investment will be the focus of our bilateral activities," EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

"Invited Paraguayan Business to explore opportunities in India. Confident that Indian businesses will be equally active in Paraguay," he added.

The visit began with the inauguration of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at a waterfront of Asuncion. EAM Jaishankar paid homage at the National Pantheon of Heroes and remembered the sacrifices of Paraguayan national heroes.