Venkaiah Naidu reaches Paraguay

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu reached Paraguay this morning as a part of two-nation tour of Paraguay and Costa Rica. This high-level visit to these countries aims at Indian outreach to the important countries in the region. 

Mr Naidu is being accompanied by a high-level delegation including Minister of State for Tourism K.J. Alphons, Members of Parliament and senior government officials.

In Paraguay, Mr Naidu will meet with President Mr. Mario Abdo Benítez, Vice President, Mr. Hugo Velázquez, and President of the National Congress (Senate), Mr. Silvio Ovelar. He will also address the India-Paraguay business forum and interact with the Indian diaspora. 

Bilateral trade between India and Paraguay is one of the main drivers of their relationship. Their trade has increased almost ten-fold over



the last ten years and reached 334 million US dollars in 2017-18 from 40 million dollars in 2008-09. 

In Costa Rica, Vice President Naidu's engagements include,  meetings with President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, First Vice President, Ms. Epsy Campbell Barr as well as President of Congress Ms. Carolina Hidalgo Herrera. Mr Naidu will address the University of Peace. He will deliver the keynote address at the India-Costa Rica business forum and meet with the Indian community.

India and Costa Rica's bilateral trade is worth 200 million dollars. With a commitment to become carbon-neutral country by 2021, Costa Rica has joined the International Solar Alliance. The visit of Vice President to the two countries is to advance India’s outreach to the important countries in the region.