EAM Jaishankar calls on Mexico President, holds talks with Foreign Minister

Mexico City/New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Mexico, called on President López Obrador during which the two discussed expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ICT and energy.

The EAM, in a tweet, said he conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides also had an “open conversation” on our governance priorities and practices.

“Thank President @lopezobrador of Mexico for receiving me today. Conveyed greetings of PM @narendramodi

“An open conversation on our governance priorities and practices. Great scope for exchange of experiences and best practices.

“Discussed expanding practical cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ICT and energy, he posted.

Earlier, he held a comprehensive discussion with his Mexican counterpart, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, during which the two sides reviewed the bilateral political cooperation, trade and investment, space and scientific potential, cultural exchanges and consular issues.

The two also shared perspectives on governance challenges and global narratives.

He also said that the two countries must collaborate more closely in international forums and added that “Glad to note our Mexican partners reciprocating this sentiment.”

“Concluded a comprehensive discussion with FM @m_ebrard of Mexico.

“Reviewed our political cooperation, trade and investment, space and scientific potential, cultural exchanges and consular issues.

“Shared perspectives on governance challenges and global narratives,” he posted.

“As independent powers committed to a multipolar world, India and Mexico must collaborate more closely in international forums.

Glad to note our Mexican partners reciprocating this sentiment,” he tweeted.

Mexico and India have differences on the issue of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. Mexico has been a member of the United for Consensus (UfC) group that opposes the expansion of permanent membership in the UNSC and is instead for expansion of the non-permanent membership in the UNSC.

Coincidentally, now both India and Mexico are non-permanent members of the Security Council for the period 2021-2022, which could provide them a good opportunity to work closely on areas of mutual interest.

Jaishankar also paid homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Mexico City.

“Paid my homage to Mahatma Gandhi in Mexico City today.

“Particularly appropriate on the occasion of the anniversary of Mexican independence,” he said.

Jaishankar is in Mexico to participate in the commemorative events of the 200th anniversary of the consolidation of Mexican Independence along with other world leaders.

The EAM’s visit, from September 26-28, is at the invitation of his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón.

This is his first visit as External Affairs Minister to Mexico.

He also attended the Grandeur of Mexico exhibition on the return of heritage and met the First Lady Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, the wife of President López Obrador. He also met the Defence Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval González.

“Attended the Grandeur of Mexico exhibition on the return of heritage.

“Pleasure to meet First Lady @BeatrizGMullerz, Foreign Minister

@m_ebrard and Defence Minister @Luis_C_Sandoval,” he tweeted.

During the Independence Day celebrations in Mexico City, he also met some of his counterparts from other countries, including from Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahriar Alam.

“Good to meet Bangladeshi MoS for Foreign Affairs

@MdShahriarAlam at the independence day celebrations in Mexico City,” he posted.

He also met the Prime Minister of Belize Johnny Briceño and the Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay of Belize, a Caribbean nation located on the northeastern coast of Central America.

He appreciated their warm words on India’s Vaccine Maitri.

“Pleased to meet PM @JohnBricenoBZE and FM Eamon Courtenay of Belize.

“Appreciated their warm words on our #vaccinemaitri,” he posted.

This year, Mexico is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the end of Spanish rule in 1821.

Mexico’s President López Obrador has called 2021 the “year of the independence and greatness of Mexico,” with major milestones occurring this year, including Mexico’s 200th anniversary of independence, the 500th anniversary of the founding of Mexico City, and 700th anniversary of the founding of Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

In August 2020, India and Mexico marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mexico was the first country in Latin America to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1950.

In 2007, the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to a Privileged Partnership, and in 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mexico, the two countries decided to develop a roadmap to upgrade their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

A large number of Indian information technology (IT) companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Hexaware, Tech Mahindra, NIIT, etc., have already established themselves as big names in Mexico. Pharma majors like Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Ranbaxy, Wockhardt and auto component manufacturers like PMP Auto, JK Tyre, etc., have set up facilities and plants in Mexico and are taking advantage of the country’s strategic location as the gateway to both North and Latin America.

In 2018, bilateral trade between India and Mexico exceeded 10 billion dollars. Mexico has been an important source of crude oil for India, with a value of more than $3.73 billion. Iron and steel are also an important sector of Mexican exports with a value of $20 million in 2018.

During Prime Minister Modi’s 2016 visit, Mexico pledged support for India’s bid to be part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).