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Context:  External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Asuncion, Paraguay. The Minister also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia, from where Paraguay’s Independence movement started more than two centuries ago.

 

Background:

Political Relations

• Diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay were established in 1961.
• The Embassy of India in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is concurrently accredited to Paraguay and has an Honorary Consul in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.

 

Bilateral Interactions

• Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu paid an official visit to Paraguay in 2019 ‐ the senior‐most visit from India to Paraguay since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
• The then President of Paraguay Mr. Fernando Lugo visited India in 2012

 

Bilateral Trade

• For the fiscal year 2019‐20, India’s exports to Paraguay were valued at USD 126.96 million, while Paraguay’s exports to India were valued at USD 25.28 million.
• Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR. An India‐MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was concluded in 2004 and became operational in 2009.
• Preferential duty (10‐20 % in most cases) is given to certain Indian Products entering MERCOSUR countries and vice versa.
• India offers an additional 10% margin of preference to Paraguay for a Tariff Rate Quota of imports of crude soybean oil up to 30000 MT/year.

 

Cultural Relations

• There is a significant following of Indian arts, culture and heritage among Paraguayans.
• Indian Food Festivals and all editions to date of the International Yoga Day have seen enthusiastic participation by Paraguayans.

Technical and Development Cooperation

• India offers 10 scholarships under the ITEC program to Paraguay.

 

Indian Community

• Around 600 Indians live in Paraguay, mainly in Ciudad del Este, a city in the south‐ east of Paraguay on the border with Brazil and Argentina.
• Approximately 200 of them are NRIs and the remaining are PIOs who are involved in trading, wholesale and retail business.

 

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=EAM-Dr-S-Jaishankar-unveils-bust-of-Mahatma-Gandhi-in-Asuncion%2c-Paraguay&id=446371