President Ram Nath Kovind was on a visit of Bolivia from 28th to 30th March, 2019. He reached Santa Cruz, Bolivia on the second leg of his three nation visit to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile. This is the first visit by an Indian President to Bolivia.
- President Ram Nath Kovind addressed Bolivia-India Business Forum in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on March 29, 2019. Both the countries have committed to strengthen business ties.
- The forum delegated about the Indian companies of different sectors to connect with Bolivian Commerce and Industry, to create new corridors of growth and prosperity. Both the countries agreed to complement each other in the mutual quest for growth and prosperity.
India offered US $100 Million to Bolivia for Financial development
- India has offered US $100 million Line of Credit to Bolivia after Ram Nath Kovind held productive talks with his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales regarding a number of bilateral issues such as economy, space and IT.
- Both the leaders have also committed to strengthen political and economic engagement. The amount will be offered to enhance financing development projects.
India and Bolivia sign 8 MoUs in Various Fields
During Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Bolivia, India and Bolivia have signed 8 MoUs. These MoUs were signed in the fields of culture, mining, Visa waiver arrangement for diplomats, the exchange between diplomatic academies, space, traditional medicine, establishment of Centre of Excellence in IT and Bi-Oceanic Railway project.
India leverages its way to Bolivian Lithium Reserves
- India has gained its access to Bolivian Lithium reserves after signing a MoU in Bolivia for development and industrial use of lithium which is a prime component used to power electric vehicles and cell phones.
- Both the countries have collaborated to facilitate Bolivian supplies of lithium Carbonate to India and foster joint ventures for lithium battery or cell production plants in India.
Bolivia joins International Solar Alliance
- Bolivia has signed the agreement to join the International Solar Alliance. The main motive behind this is to establish a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address the identified gaps in their energy requirements through a common approach.
- India, with a target to produce 100 GW of solar energy by 2022, would account for a tenth of ISA’s goal.
India, Bolivia call for Finalisation of CCIT
- India and Bolivia have called for an early finalisation of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the wake of growing threats and acts of terrorism across the world. Bolivian President Evo Morales has strongly condemned Pulwama attack and denounced cross border terrorism.
- The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is a proposed treaty which intends to criminalize all forms of international terrorism and their financiers and supporters.
President Ram Nath Kovind conferred with Highest State Honour of Bolivia
President of Bolivia, Evo Morales Ayma honoured Ram Nath Kovind with the highest State Honour of Bolivia “Condor de Los Andes en el Grado de Gran Collar” in Santa Cruz.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the plaque of Mahatma Gandhi Hall
A Plaque of Mahatma Gandhi Hall was inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the Gabriel Rene Moreno University in Santa Cruz.
President Ram Nath Kovind meets Bolivian President, Evo Morales Ayma
On 29th March 2019, Ram Nath Kovind met his Bolivian Counterpart Evo Morales Ayma and discussed issues of mutual interest and cooperation. Both the countries denounce terrorism and ensure that necessary steps will be taken to weed out terrorism.
President met Indian Community in Bolivia
- On 30th March 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind met Indian Community at Santa Cruz in Bolivia and praised the India diaspora for preserving India’s culture in Bolivia.
- President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented Punjab’s Phulkari embroidery to President of Bolivia, Evo Morales Ayma during his second leg of visit to Bolivia.
About Bolivia
♦ Capital- Sucre
♦ Currency- Bolivian Boliviano
♦ President- Evo Morales Ayma
