India sends first high-level delegation to Paraguay, Costa Rica

Muscat: Indian Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will lead his country's first high-level delegation to Paraguay (5-7 March) and Costa Rica (7-9 March), according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Naidu will be accompanied by India's Minister of State for Tourism K.J. Alphons and other Members of Parliament and senior officials from the Indian Government.

In Paraguay, Naidu is expected to meet President Mario Abdo Benítez, Vice President Hugo Velázquez, and National Congress President Silvio Ovelar.

Trade between both countries has grown rapidly, from $40 million in 2008-2009 to $334 million 2017-2018, Indian MEA confirmed.

While in Costa Rica, Naidu is scheduled to meet its President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, First Vice President Epsy Campbell Barr as well as President of the Legislative Assembly Carolina Hidalgo Herrera.

Bilateral trade between India and Costa Rica currently stands at $200 million, with the South Asian country exporting $133 million worth of goods.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, two-nation tour is aimed at advancing bilateral relations in trade, investment, ICT, renewable energy, education and healthcare among other fields.