President Accepts Credentials of New Envoys of China, UK, 5 Other Nations

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday accepted the credentials of the new envoys of China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Kuwait, Ecuador, Guinea and Fiji at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Ambassador of China Xu Feihong, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom Lindy Elizabeth Cameron and High Commissioner of New Zealand Patrick John Rata presented their credentials to the president, a Rashtrapati Bhavan release said.

Others who presented their credentials were Ambassador of Kuwait Meshal Mustafa J Alshemali, Ambassador of Ecuador Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas, Ambassador of Guinea Alassane Conte and High Commissioner of Fiji Jagnnath Sami.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Mexico Severs Diplomatic Ties With Ecuador Following Embassy Raid

Mexico City: Mexico has announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian authorities forcibly entered its embassy in Quito and apprehended former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought refuge there, Al Jazeera reported.

Vice President Jorge Glas, a two-time corruption convict, had been residing in the Mexican embassy since December, citing persecution by Ecuadorian officials.

Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday, offering political asylum to Glas and urging Ecuador to ensure his safe departure from the country. However, Ecuadorian special forces, equipped with tactical gear including bulletproof vests and helmets, conducted a nighttime raid on the embassy, leading to Glas's arrest, Al Jazeera reported.

"Ecuador is a sovereign nation and we are not going to allow any criminal to stay free," Ecuador's presidency wrote in a statement shortly before the raid.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the storming of the embassy and Glas's arrest as "authoritarian" and a "flagrant violation of international law and Mexico's sovereignty."

For many Ecuadorians, granting political asylum to a convicted former vice president by Mexico, particularly considering his affiliation with the Mexican president, appeared to be a travesty of justice, remarked lawyer and political commentator Adrian Perez Salazar.

"But the fact that there was this grievance does not - at least under international law - justify the forceful breach of an embassy," Salazar told Al Jazeera from Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Alicia Barcena, Mexico's foreign minister, revealed that several diplomats sustained injuries during the raid, which she denounced as a violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

In response to the incident, Mexico announced the immediate withdrawal of its diplomatic personnel from Ecuador and declared intentions to seek accountability from Ecuador through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of international law.

"International law is very clear that embassies are not to be touched, and regardless of whatever justifications the Ecuadorian government might have, it is a case where the end does not justify the means," Salazar told Al Jazeera.

The situation escalated further following remarks by the Mexican president about Ecuador's elections, which Ecuador deemed "unfortunate," as reported by Al Jazeera.

Lopez Obrador's comments, referencing the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio last year, and drawing parallels with recent violence in Mexico's electoral cycle, were met with indignation by Ecuador.

Implying that the assassination influenced the election outcome, Lopez Obrador criticised media owners and those fostering an atmosphere of violence during election campaigns.

Subsequently, Ecuador declared Mexican ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke persona non grata, ordering her swift departure from the country.

Ecuador has been grappling with heightened violence since earlier this year, marked by prison riots, escapes of criminal leaders, and armed assaults during live television broadcasts, highlighting the country's volatile internal security situation, Al Jazeera reported.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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Meenakashi Lekhi Interacts With Indian Diaspora In Ecuador

Quito: Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi on Sunday interacted with the Indian community in Ecuador and appreciated their contribution to India's transformational journey.

She also shared the government's focus towards strengthening multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

"Had a productive interaction with Indian community in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Congratulated them for contributing to India's transformational journey. Shared the transformation underway in India to strengthen multi-faceted bilateral cooperation with Ecuador. Apprised them of the initiatives and programmes of the Government of India in the last 9 years," Lekhi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

She also paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's bust located at Malecon, Guayaqu in Ecuador and recalled his message of peace and non-violence.

"Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence transcends boundaries. Had the honour to offer floral tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located at picturesque Malecon in Guayaqu," she stated.

Notably, the MoS is on a six-day visit to the South American countries, Ecuador and Paraguay from November 2-7.

Prior to this, she was in Paraguay.

During this visit, she met Paraguay's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Victor Verdun on Friday and held discussions on issues of interest spanning bilateral, regional and multilateral arena. The two leaders also agreed to strengthen multifaceted cooperation.

MoS Lekhi met Paraguay's Minister of Industry and Commerce Javier Gimenez. The two leaders discussed ways to boost economic cooperation between two nations.

Lekhi also visited the Lake Cultural Centre in Paraguay's Aregua and explored the rich history of Areguena ceramics and indigenous art.

She also visited the National Museum of Fine Arts and Antiques of Paraguay.

The MoS participated in the Yoga event along with Indian diaspora, at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in Asuncion.

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Soft Power To Strategic Presence: Why India Is Giving A Renewed Push To Ties With Latin America

Latin America and The Caribbean region had remained out of sight for long, but its relations with India have gained traction since the beginning of this century and a new thrust in recent years

Latin America may be on the other side of the globe, but not out of sight from the heights of Raisina Hills. This is evident from the fact that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited four Latin American countries in a row this year — Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. The nine-day visit in April was his first as EAM in Latin America and the Caribbean this year. He had last year travelled to three Latin America and The Caribbean (LAC) members: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

It would not be wrong to say that this region had remained out of sight in the corridors of South Block for long, but has gained traction since the beginning of this century and a new thrust in recent years. These efforts are yielding results and according to the EAM, Indian businesses have till now invested over USD 15 billion in the LAC region. Though India-LAC bilateral trade grew to USD 40 billion in 2022 from USD 29 billion in 2018, but compared to China (USD 482 billion in 2022), the Indian-LAC trade is far behind.

Perhaps, the distance and the transport cost of exportable goods to the small and big countries of the region factored prominently for the Ministry of External Affairs mandarins, and hence the lesser push to the Indian business community to register their footprint, and the lesser diplomatic presence so far. The MEA is now taking care of this. To increase the footprint in LAC countries, India organises an India-LAC conclave supported by the Ministry of External Affairs. This year also, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted a three-day India-LAC business conclave in early August, in which 11 LAC countries were represented and the conclave was inaugurated by Jaishankar.

There are 33 countries in ‘Latin America and Caribbean’, which include Mexico and the countries from Central America, South America and the Caribbean islands , with a rough population of over 650 million. As China has projected its Belt and Road Initiative as a key platform for expanding its influence and connectivity in the region, China’s strategic link to the region is mainly based on promoting its economic interests and hence China intends to develop strategic partnership with the region by engaging in infrastructure and energy linkages.

India, meanwhile, has a natural bonding and convergence of interests on key global issues with Latin America and Caribbean countries, India is banking on its soft power like culture, heritage, philosophy ,yoga, ayurveda, films etc , which is very popular because of large number of people of Indian origin who populate mostly the Caribbean region. India used to treat LAC as the last frontiers of its foreign policy, but in fast changing geo-political equations, India needs to expand its influence in the region with greater focus, make visible economic presence and enhance people to people exchanges, which will build a bridge between India and LAC.

India Has The Potential To Enter Latin America And The Caribbean Market

To showcase India in a better manner, India needs to open it’s mission in all of 33 LAC members, but presently 17 of the countries do not have Indian missions. Missions have a significant role in strengthening trade and economic relations and promoting the country's political interests especially in garnering support in UN for India sponsored resolutions. The missions also have a role in better explaining India’s views on global and regional issues. They also have a role in supporting Indian companies wanting to enter the LAC region, with catalogues and policies of the host governments.

To develop a deeper interaction with the Latin American region, India has to deal with four major players — CARICOM (Caribbean community), SICA (Central American Integration system), SELA (Latin American Economic System) and the Permanent Secretariat of the General Agreement on Central American Economic Integration (SIECA). The four are the founding observers in the Association of Caribbean States.

CARICOM or the Caribbean Community comprises 15 member states Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and ‘Trinidad and Tobago’ and one dependency.

Some of these are cricket-playing countries, and hence well known in India. But Indians are not very familiar with the intricacies of these groupings, which are actually heavily populated with the people of Indian origin — around 2.5 million. They want to reconnect with their ancestral lands. Their emotional bond towards India needs to be exploited for developing deeper people-to-people connect that will help in transforming better bilateral diplomatic relations. Of late, the geopolitical significance of these small island states has increased tremendously, as they not only form a strong collective vote bank in the United Nations, they can be tapped for increasing diplomatic clout in the UN. India has received significant support from LAC for the Permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. The group of LAC also supports India on many issues in the United Nations.

Most Latin American countries are not involved in any major conflict, and hence there is not much requirement for defence products. But small arms and light helicopters are in demand to control criminal activities. Large countries like Brazil have made good progress in high-end products like small passenger aircraft, but mostly dependent on imports for other arms. India has imported Embraer aircraft from Brazil for converting them to early warning aircraft. India has been able to make an entry in the defence sector in LAC, but not in a big way. Ecuador had purchased four Advanced Light Helicopters almost a decade and a half ago in 2008, but its image was dented due to some crashes. Ecuador cancelled export orders for seven more DHRUV Helicopters in 2015.

Due to the prevalence of drug mafia in Latin American countries, they need air assets to deal with them in the dense forests. Of late, these countries have reduced their defence business with the US due to tough competition from China. But India has the potential to enter the market with its niche defence products like night vision glasses, cyber security, patrol vessels, body armour etc. Indian manufacturers specialising in security equipment and technology have good potential in increasing their footprint in the LAC markets. To mark its defence footprint in the region, India has been undertaking military exercises with Brazil, Chile and Peru.

China is a competition for India too. But though it faces formidable challenges from the Dragon nation, it is gradually breaking the barriers. According to Jaishankar, "India is successfully implementing projects in the region to develop critical infrastructure, including in power transmission. There have been some notable contracts in roads, oil and gas, renewable energy, and are now seeing beginnings of defence.” These are positive trends and are expected to take India-LAC relations to newer heights in future.

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Six Colombians Arrested Over Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Assassination

Quito: The six suspects arrested in connection with the assassination of a presidential candidate in Ecuador are Colombian nationals, Ecuador’s interior minister, Juan Zapata, said on Thursday.

This marked another twist in the killing that has rocked a nation consumed by violence fuelled by drug trafficking, the New York Times reported.

The revelation that the suspects are Colombian is reminiscent of the assassination of Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, in July 2021, in a plot that ensnared at least 18 Colombians who remain jailed in Haiti awaiting trial. The Colombians are accused of assisting in the operation to kill the Haitian leader in his home.

The candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, a former journalist who had been outspoken about the link between organized crime and government officials, was gunned down outside a high school in the capital, Quito, after speaking to young supporters. The attack came just days before voting begins in an election that has been dominated by concerns over drug-related violence, the New York Times reported.

In the scuffle that followed, one suspect was killed and nine other people were shot, officials said.

Villavicencio, 59, was polling near the middle of an eight-person race. He was among the most vocal candidates on the issue of crime and state corruption.

This comes less than a month after the mayor of Manta, a port city, was fatally shot during a public appearance, the New York Times reported.

“Outraged and shocked by the assassination,” President Guillermo Lasso wrote on Twitter late Wednesday, blaming the death on “organized crime.”

Lasso said the attackers had thrown a grenade into the street as a distraction as they tried to flee, but that it failed to explode. The national prosecutor’s office said on Twitter that a suspect had been shot and apprehended amid crossfire with security forces, and had died shortly afterwards, the New York Times reported.

The office later said the authorities had carried out raids and detained six people in connection with the assassination.

The nine other people shot in Wednesday night’s attack included two police officers and a candidate for a National Assembly seat, according to the prosecutor’s office. There was no immediate information about the condition of the nine people; it was unclear late Wednesday night whether any of them had died.

Ecuador, on South America’s western edge, witnessed an extraordinary transformation between 2005 and 2015 as millions of people rose out of poverty, riding the wave of an oil boom whose profits were poured into education, health care and other social programs.

But more recently, the country has been dominated by an increasingly powerful narco-trafficking industry. Foreign drug mafias have joined forces with local prison and street gangs, unleashing a wave of violence, unlike anything in the country’s recent history. Homicide rates are at record levels, the New York Times reported.

In a televised statement early Thursday, Lasso declared a 60-day, nationwide state of emergency, a measure that involves the restriction of some civil liberties, and he said security forces would be deployed across the country. Such emergency declarations, meant for extraordinary circumstances, have become more common in recent years, but have done little to curtail Ecuador’s soaring violence.

Lasso stressed, however, that the elections would proceed as scheduled. “This was a political crime, terrorism,” he said.

“And there is no doubt that this assassination is an attempt to sabotage the electoral process. It is no coincidence this happened days before the first round of voting," he added.

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Ecuadorean Presidential Candidate Fernando Villavicencio Shot Dead In Quito

Quito: Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has been shot dead at a political rally in Quito Wednesday night, The Washington Post reported.

He was shot to death by gunmen at a political rally in Quito, less than two weeks prior to the Ecuador elections, according to police.

Fernando Villavicencio, aged 59, was shot several times as he left the rally at a high school in Quito, General Manuel Iniguez, a deputy commander of the Ecuadorean national police said, according to The Washington Post.

He was taken to a nearby clinic, where he was pronounced dead.

A police officer was also injured in the attack, General Manuel Iniguez said. The gunmen also launched a grenade towards Villavicencio’s group.

However, the grenade did not explode, The Washington Post reported.

Villavicencio was a member of Ecuador’s National Assembly before it was dissolved in May. He was one of the leading candidates in the first round of voting set to be conducted on August 20 to succeed Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso.

Ecuador is facing record levels of gang violence, with drug trafficking getting out of control, as people prepare to vote for the polls, The Washington Post reported.

During the election campaign, the candidates focused on rising violence in Ecuador. Guillermo Lasso called the snap elections after dissolving the National Assembly and avoiding impeachment.

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Congratulate India For Unique Initiative, Says Ecuador's Envoy At Voice of Global South Summit

New Delhi: The Voice of the Global South Summit is an excellent opportunity to bring to the forefront of global politics the most pressing issues of the developing world, said Ecuador's envoy to India, Francisco Teodoro Maldonado Guevara on Friday.

India hosted a two-day Voice of Global South Summit on January 12-13. The Summit was held in a virtual format, with 10 sessions in total. It saw the participation of Leaders and Ministers from 125 countries of the Global South.

"The Voice of the Global South Summit is an excellent opportunity to bring to the forefront of global politics and decision-making, the most pressing and urgent issues of the developing world, from the particular perspective of each developing country," ambassador Guevara said at the Voice of Global South Summit.

"We congratulate the government of India for this unique initiative which Ecuador welcomes and hopes will result in a productive dialogue and plan of action between the most developed world and the global south countries in the context of the upcoming G20 meetings and beyond," he added.

In a press statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India convened this one of a kind Summit to focus international attention on priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing world.

This is particularly relevant as the world passes through a difficult period marked by challenges to health, food security, affordable access to energy, climate finance and technologies, and economic growth, MEA said.

The ministry said this summit is a timely reminder of what is at stake for over three-fourths of the planet's most vulnerable population to the deleterious impact of the several interlinked risks we confront.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Inaugural Leaders' session on 12 January. This was followed by eight Ministerial-level thematic segments dedicated to addressing the most pressing concerns of the developing world. The Summit wrapped up on 13 January with a Concluding Leaders' Session also hosted by Prime Minister.

The participating Leaders appreciated and congratulated the leadership of the Prime Minister in hosting the Summit at a crucial juncture. They expressed hope that the Summit would serve as a catalyst for building a prosperous and inclusive future for the world that considers the Global South's needs.

The participating countries also recognized with appreciation that the Summit produced fruitful conversations and charted a new path through an action-oriented agenda that strives to address their priorities and challenges.

They underscored the agenda and quest for solutions to global challenges must include the voices of its biggest stakeholders, the Global South.

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US Wary of China's Expanding Footprints In Latin America

Beijing: US policymakers and military officials have raised concerns about China's growing presence in Latin America while Washington shifted its focus toward the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, a think tank Council on Foreign Relations said.

Over the past two decades, China has developed close economic and security ties with many Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela. But Beijing's growing sway in the region has raised concerns in Washington and beyond.

China is South America's top trading partner and a major source of both foreign direct investment and lending in energy and infrastructure, including through its Belt and Road Initiative. It has invested heavily in Latin America's space sector and has strengthened its military ties with several countries, particularly Venezuela.

Washington is wary of all these developments, and critics say Beijing is leveraging its economic might to further its strategic goals. "We are losing our positional advantage in this Hemisphere and immediate action is needed to reverse this trend," argued Admiral Craig S. Faller, the former head of U.S. Southern Command, in 2021.

China's role in Latin America has grown rapidly since 2000, promising economic opportunity even while raising concerns over Beijing's influence. China's state firms are major investors in the region's energy, infrastructure, and space industries, and the country has surpassed the United States as South America's largest trading partner, as per the think tank.

Beijing has also expanded its diplomatic, cultural, and military presence. Most recently, it has leveraged its support in the fight against COVID-19, supplying the region with medical equipment, loans, and hundreds of millions of vaccine doses.

But the United States and its allies fear that Beijing is using these relationships to pursue its geopolitical goals, including the further isolation of Taiwan, and to bolster authoritarian regimes. U.S. President Joe Biden, who sees China as a "strategic competitor" in the region, is seeking ways to counter its growing sway.

In 2000, the Chinese market accounted for less than 2 per cent of Latin America's exports, but China's rapid growth and resulting demand drove the region's subsequent commodities boom. Over the next eight years, trade grew at an average annual rate of 31 per cent, reaching a value of USD 180 billion in 2010.

By 2021, trade totalled USD 450 billion, and economists predict that it could exceed USD 700 billion by 2035. China is currently South America's top trading partner and the second-largest for Latin America as a whole, after the United States.

Latin American exports to China are mainly soybeans, copper, petroleum, oil, and other raw materials that the country needs to drive its industrial development. In return, the region mostly imports higher-value-added manufactured products, a trade some experts say has undercut local industries with cheaper Chinese goods. Beijing has free trade agreements in place with Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, and 20 Latin American countries have so far signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Talks on a free trade agreement with Ecuador began in February 2022.

China's focus on soft power--including strengthening cultural and educational ties--has helped Beijing build political goodwill with local governments and present itself as a viable alternative partner to the United States and European states.

Venezuela became the region's top purchaser of Chinese military hardware after the U.S. government prohibited all commercial arms sales to the country beginning in 2006. Between 2009 and 2019, Beijing reportedly sold more than USD 615 million worth of weapons to Venezuela.

Bolivia and Ecuador have also purchased millions of dollars worth of Chinese military aircraft, ground vehicles, air defence radars, and assault rifles. Cuba has sought to strengthen military ties with China, hosting the Chinese People's Liberation Army for several port visits.

Despite U.S. warnings against using Huawei equipment, which policymakers say leaves countries vulnerable to Chinese cyber threats, Argentina and Brazil, among others, depend on it for their cellular networks.

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Jaishankar Interacts With Latin American, Caribbean Countries Envoys Ahead of Visit To Region

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met with the Ambassadors from Latin American and Caribbean countries in New Delhi ahead of his visit to the region.

Jaishankar expressed gratitude to host the Ambassadors of LAC countries and was positive about the potential for growing cooperation between India and the South American and Caribbean countries.

He thanked the Ambassadors for their perspectives and insights into strengthening mutual relations and cooperation.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Pleasure to host Ambassadors in New Delhi from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean countries- Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay."

"So much potential for growing our cooperation. Encourage their efforts to realizing it fully. Thanked them for their perspectives and insights as I head to the region tonight," he added.

According to media reports, Jaishankar will travel to three key countries in South America - Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay with an aim to address the issues of food and energy security, oil marketing and the extension of the Fixed Preference Agreement between India and MERCOSUR.

Jaishankar will inaugurate India's new embassy in the capital city of Paraguay, Asuncion likely on August 22, a media report said.

Notably, diplomatic relations between India and Caribbean countries have been warm and cordial. India and Paraguay established relations in 1961, and since then the two countries share cordial and friendly relations.

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China’s Influence Is Rising In Latin America

While Latin Americans consider China as a business ally, the soft power of India is more appealing in the region

Over the years, China has made all possible efforts to become the most important ally of Latin America. China has made investments in the development of regional infrastructures such as ports, roads, dams and railways. There is no denying the fact that China seems to be receiving dividends in terms of political returns from the investment made.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and China relations have grown exponentially after China became part of WTO (2001) and is currently the region’s top trading partner. The demographic association began towards the second half of the nineteenth century when the Chinese arrived to fill in the vacuum created by declining African plantation workers in Cuba and Peru in the wake of the abolition of slavery. Thereafter, a proliferation of the Chinese community, mostly wealthy merchants with flourishing businesses or professionals, in countries with enormous potential in industrial and agricultural sectors became the trend.

The established interaction from the mid-20th century to 2000 has been a period of consolidating the development agenda. In the 1990s, taking advantage of market-driven regional groupings like Mercosur, comparable companies across countries partnered to become powerful conglomerates, the multi-latinas which have become the drivers of the LAC-China integration. This phase witnessed a state-to-state relationship where Chinese state-owned companies bought natural resources—primarily energy resources. With the turn of the millennium, the state-owned banks generously provided easy loans to LAC governments for infrastructure development, social spending or even budgetary support. Through the global financial crisis of 2008, China lifted LAC through loans and investment with the ulterior motive of ensuring affordable and steady suppliers of natural resources, simultaneously gaining access to LAC markets for Chinese goods and services. Connectivity, an offshoot of the first CELAC-China Forum meeting, has been the fulcrum of the ongoing phase of the relationship since 2015. Nineteen governments across LAC have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China that would create hubs of energy, production, technology and finance all across Europe and Eurasia. The Digital Silk Road (Huwaei, Alibaba and ZTE) would help LAC companies develop 5G and other artificial intelligence technologies.

The discernible modes of Chinese engagements in LAC are through direct investment and institutional lending by China Development Bank and China Exim Bank towards infrastructure funding and for meeting the developmental needs of governments. China has become a stakeholder in the hemispheric banks like the Caribbean Development Bank (1998) and Inter-American Development Bank (2009). The loans come with minimal conditionalities and ostensibly give LAC governments plenty of tractability in spending without mandating alterations in the development models.

Furthermore, the China-LAC relations have a spatial peculiarity of being bilateral, regional or multilateral. Besides bilateral ties with countries, notably Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela, China has signed free trade agreements with Chile (2006) and Peru (2010). Regionally, there are two patterns of association of China: the Mexican and Central American Model that is based on trade associated with export assembly (maquiladora) industries and export processing; and the South American Model which is capital-intensive associated with the processing of natural resources with low levels of domestic value-addition. Multilateral engagements of China have been evident in the CELAC-China Forum, membership of APEC, observer status in ALADI, as permanent Dialogue Partner in Mercosur and CARICOM.

For LAC, partnering with China can be seen as an opportunity to diversify from the traditional trade partners-the US or European nations. Chinese entry into LAC’s manufacturing sector, which is the former’s forte, can boost productivity and enhance competitiveness. The region through gaining access to the large domestic market of China can earn sizeable export revenue. Chinese investment could become a catalyst to Latin America’s infrastructure development.

Historically, the “periphery” as a supplier of raw material to the “core”, is optimistic of a quid pro quo relationship with China. From the Chinese position, enhanced LAC cooperation could mean tackling its energy and economic security interests. The Chinese seek out hitherto unexplored destinations for migration, possible expansion of BRI into LAC and gain geopolitical mileage by partnering in the Pacific-Atlantic trans-continental rail link. Other achievements have been accessing the US market through LAC, strengthening its position within WTO and attempting to gain diplomatic recognition for Beijing within the UN.

Interestingly, China’s presence in LAC has been guided by pragmatism and not by ideological motive. The changing nature of partnership amid the Covid-19 pandemic has opened up new vistas through Chinese medical aid that could build a new world order even while no new loans were granted to the region in 2020 reflecting recovery efforts of its economy. Apprehensions about China challenging the presence of the US are allayed because both of them have competence in different fields and engage with a different focus on countries.

The relations come with a fair degree of scepticism. Alicia Barcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC is apprehensive that greater Chinese investment in high-technology sectors would entail a structural change in the region, ultimately leading to debt-trap diplomacy. The other unease is around the emergence of another variant of Import-Substitution Industrialisation through “reindustrialisation” of LAC and perhaps another “lost decade”.

The presence of both China with India in LAC becomes uneasy due to the regional rivalry and associated strategic considerations. The Chinese engagement with LAC can motivate India that barriers of language and distance are surmountable. The stronger linkages can be bolstered through South-South trade and cooperation. India is perceived as a more responsible economic partner that has more to offer than the trade in natural resources. The countries of LAC looking towards diversifying their markets from the US and now China can seek alternative sources of investment in India. Even though China has overwhelmed the region with sizeable investments, LAC governments are apprehensive about the dumping of goods that impacts indigenous industries, and the influx of immigrants who have inundated many countries. Indian companies which are purely business-oriented and employ local staff rather than bringing in their people are more acceptable. The presence of a large Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean can become the fulcrum of cooperation and assist in redesigning its strategy towards LAC. Admittedly, while Latin Americans consider China merely as a business ally, the soft power of India is more appealing in the region. India may be more acceptable than China on many counts. India needs to attempt leveraging its soft power diplomacy and promoting its interests by establishing educational and cultural centres as well as helping Latin American nations in tackling the current pandemic.

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India’s Maritime Claims ‘Excessive’, Says Biden Admin

WASHINGTON: India and the United States are having a rare moment of disagreement in their burgeoning defence ties, with Washington accusing New Delhi of "excessive maritime claims" while asserting the right of navigation for its warships close to Lakshwadeep islands.

"I can tell you is that the USS John Paul Jones, a Navy destroyer, asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Republic of the Maldives by conducting innocent passage through its territorial sea in normal operations within its exclusive economic zone without requesting prior permission," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby on Friday, said after India conveyed its concern over the matter earlier this week. Kirby said the move was "consistent with international law."

Earlier, the US Navy said it conducted a freedom of navigation operation in Indian waters without prior consent to challenge India's "excessive maritime claims," triggering a sharp reaction from New Delhi.

"India's stated position on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is that the Convention does not authorise other states to carry out in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and on the continental shelf, military exercises or manoeuvres, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal state," India's ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

"The USS John Paul Jones was continuously monitored transiting from the Persian Gulf towards the Malacca Straits. We have conveyed our concerns regarding this passage through our EEZ to the government of the USA through diplomatic channels," the MEA statement added.

On its part, the US 7th fleet maintained that on April 7, 2021 (local time) USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) asserted navigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands, inside India's exclusive economic zone, without requesting India's prior consent, consistent with international law.

The public spat is highly unusual given the close defence relations between the two countries, with the two navies sharing particularly tight ties -- even more than their army and air force wings. India has conducted more naval exercises with the US Navy than with any other country in recent years and the two countries have pledged close maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The unexpected row comes only three weeks after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited New Delhi -- in what was the first high-ranking visit from a Biden administration official -- and pledged close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region ostensible to counter China's growing assertiveness.

“Secretary Austin commended India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and growing engagement with like-minded partners across the region to promote shared goals. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free and open regional order," Kirby had said following the visit.

Also, some old wounds have healed, New Delhi would be particularly tetchy about the breach of what it considers its maritime domain given the historical background: The Nixon administration tried to bully New Delhi with the US Seventh Fleet during the 1971 India-Pakistan war that resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. The threat and the scar tissue from it are buried in the psyche of a whole generation of Indians.

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In A First, Indian Navy To Participate In French Naval Exercise La Perouse, QUAD Allies To Join

The Indian Navy will be part of a French naval exercise called ‘La Perouse’ in the Bay of Bengal next month. The Quad nations – the US, Japan and Australia – will also take part

The Indian Navy will be part of a French naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal next month. The participating nations also include the other Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) member countries -- Australia, Japan and the United States of America.

This is the first time that the Indian Navy will be part of the France-led war game ‘La Perouse’. Until now, India was not invited for the French naval exercise.

After the Malabar Exercise in November last year, during which the navies of India, the US and Japan got together with Australia as the new addition, India’s inclusion in the France-led joint naval drill is a significant step.

“The exercise is scheduled between April 5 and 7,” said an official.

This will be followed by another important naval exercise ‘Varuna’, which takes place annually between India and France. This time it will also include the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“It will take place in the last week of April in the Western Indian Ocean,” the official informed.

India’s Maritime Diplomacy

India’s maritime diplomacy involves naval exercises with several friendly countries, keeping in mind China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region. The inclusion of more navies in such exercises is also a response to Chinese aggression in international waters and its increasing foray into the region.

As part of maritime cooperation, the Indian and Vietnamese navies carried out a passage exercise in the South China Sea in December 2020.

The Indian Navy also carried out war games with the navies of Singapore and Thailand in the Andaman Sea, soon after the Malabar Exercise.

As part of the Indian government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ vision, the Indian Navy undertook joint exclusive economic zone surveillance with Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius, as well as coordinated patrols (CORPATs) with Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia.

The Indian Navy has participated in 13 bilateral and multilateral exercises so far this year.

Besides improving inter-operability between friendly navies, the joint drills are aimed at strengthening mutual confidence, developing standard procedures and enhancing overall maritime security.

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Astronauts of The First Latin American Space Mission Look To Work With ISRO For Future Programs

Mission specialist astronaut, commander Ronnie Nader, Ecuadorian Civil Space Agency

LATCOSMOS is an initiative from EXA adopted by the International Astronautical Federation's Latin American and Caribbean Regional group committee, and as such, is a supra-national and private program

For the first time in the history of Latin American Space travels, a crew of made up only Latin Americans will be going onboard. The first Latcosmos mission has been promoted by the Ecuadorian agency EXA, which will provide the funds for the first space trip. The crew which will participate is being commanded by Commander Ronnie Nader, Exa Ecuador, and Adolfo Chaves, TEC Costa Rica; Alberto Ramírez, UNAM Mexico and Margot Solberg, US.

Two astronauts – interacted with Financial Express Online and talked about their mission and how they can collaborate with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the future.

Dr Adolfo Chaves Jiménez, Researcher Coordinator, Space Systems Engineering Laboratory (SETEC Lab) School of Electronics Costa Rica Institute of Technology, has been chosen to travel to Outer space as part of the first Latin American space mission in history.

Mission specialist astronaut, commander Ronnie Nader, Ecuadorian Civil Space Agency (EXA)/FAE, is the first person in history to achieve the two most significant milestones in astronautics for a country. He is the first astronaut and the father of its first satellites and at the same time is the only Ecuadorian representative to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) General Assembly.

He is also the first and only Ecuadorian citizen to be elected as a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Following are excerpts of an interaction with Dr Adolfo Chaves Jimenez who talks about the mission and how ISRO and Costa Rica can work together in the space sector:

What is the Irazú Project (the first Central American satellite)?

I got in contact with the Central American Society for Aeronautics and Space (ACAE) because I wanted to participate in the project. They asked me to be their first project manager. Finally, with the help of a lot of people, the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) became the partner of ACAE, in charge of the technological development of the satellite.

What is the significance of the mission which will be in a New Sheppard rocket, from Blue Origin?

The idea of the mission is to demonstrate that Latin America can undertake joint space missions. The support of EXA has been fundamental on this. Through the Latin American and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC) of the International Astronautical Federation, they are offering us this opportunity.

As a coordinator of the Space Systems Laboratory (SETEC-Lab) of the Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), we will be part of the suborbital trip in the mission called ESAA-01 EX SOMINUS AD ASTRA. This is part of the Latcosmos-C program.

This is one of the many steps that many people of Costa Rica have taken to promote Space as a tool for development and inspiration.

Have you as a coordinator ever considered partnering with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?

Absolutely! As a matter of fact, we (SETEC Lab) were the technical counterpart in the proposal for the creation of the Costa Rican Space Agency (AEC), right now in discussion in Congress. We hope when AEC is established, to open an agency-to-agency cooperation with ISRO, that would be even more beneficial than doing it only from a single university.

Would you like to visit ISRO and are there any plans to have cooperation with the Indian Space Agency and sharing best practices?

Absolutely. I admire the technical work of ISRO and believe it has earned its place as one of the leading space agencies in the world, not only through their achievements but also by leading the way in a very creative, practical form of work. We can learn a lot about India, and I believe a relationship with Costa Rica would be of common interest and benefit. Of course, I would love to visit!

How can the Indian Space Agency and your Space Systems Laboratory (SETEC-Lab), work together?

SETEC Lab is always looking for ways to use space engineering as a tool of development in Costa Rica. Costa Rica can add added value to the common interest with other nations due to its capabilities in biodiversity research (world-class laboratories in one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world), to its geographical location in order to give services to satellites, and to its work in environmental conservation, where many interests are common with countries such as India.

I believe cooperation with countries like India will generate win-win situations for the benefit of both countries.

Following are excerpts from an interaction with Ronnie Nader, father of the first Ecuadorian Satellites:

Are you the first-ever astronaut in your country? How did you get interested and where did you train?

Yes I am, I completed my training in 2007 in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia under the auspices of the Ecuadorian Air Force and my government. I am also the father of the first Ecuadorian satellites.

You have been funding Start-ups in India. Why did you decide to do so?

Indian space sector is efficient and effective, produces good quality products and Indian engineers are very capable, that is why EXA has been looking at India as a provider of some products and services we need in order to reduce the costs of our technology exports, which are the main source of income of the Agency.

Have you considered working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?

Of course and we look forward to it, as Agency we have good relations with ISRO and the ISRO chairman and me we both serve as Academicians in the International Academy of Astronautics, so you can say we are colleagues.

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India To Challenge China’s Foray In South America; To Explore Defence Export Opportunities

In a major policy shift, the government in its first term had notified a new strategy for export of defence products that not only encourages the sale of military equipment to foreign nations. The region has been plagued by Narco-terrorism

In a challenge to China’s forays in South America, India is exploring the sale of various military platforms to the region. Venezuela is by far is the largest buyer of Chinese defence hardware others being Ecuador and Bolivia. China’s political, economic, commercial relations with Latin America have grown exponentially in the first two decades of the present century. And, “Coupled with this another development which has been less noticed outside the continent is the defence tie China has built up by offering crude oil and mineral linked soft credits including to purchase its defence equipment and platforms,” says a former Indian envoy to the region. Diplomatic sources in the Indian missions in the region have confirmed to the Financial Express Online “Post COVID-19, there are opportunities to export defence equipment in the South American Region. Several private players and DPSUs are showing interest in the region. ”

The region has been plagued by Narco-terrorism. The drug cartels have been very active in the region right from Mexico down to Peru. And this fight against transnational organiser crime and drug trafficking has increased the region’s requirement for modern protection equipment for their security forces. “This makes it a potential market for military stores. Many of the countries and the police/ military forces of the region are engaged in the modernisation of its forces which will give Indian companies the opportunity to exploit that market” explained a top diplomat.

On the list of systems that are likely to be exported include artillery systems, protected vehicles, electronic warfare, naval combat management system, military communications C4I solutions, small arms, night vision devices, and other related military equipment.

In a major policy shift, the government in its first term had notified a new strategy for export of defence products that not only encourages the sale of military equipment to foreign nations.

India-Chile Defence Cooperation

“Later this year an Indian Naval Delegation is expected to travel to Chile to attend the EXPONAVAL 2020 from December 1-4 at a naval base in that country. An invitation has been extended by the Commander of the Chilean Navy to Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and also for one of the Indian warships to attend an event at Valpariaso during their expo,” sources have confirmed to Financial Express Online. Also, an invitation has been extended to M/s BrahMos to participate in the event.

As per the laws for supply any industrial or defence equipment in Chile, companies all over the world are required to register themselves with the Chilean Armed Forces and the Joint Staff.

So far several Indian Companies with the help of the Indian Mission in Santiago have registered themselves with Chilean Armed Forces. Some Indian companies including M/s Brahmos; M/s Azista Industries;M/s Reliance Naval Engineering; M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd., are now registered. And registration of some companies including — New Space India Limited; Neo Power; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited; Ordnance Factory Board; and BEML is under process.

In March this year, the Chilean Navy has acquired an Anchor Handling Towing Supply and Standby Vessel (AHTSSV) ocean support vessel from Indian shipyard Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding for a value of $ 11.5 million. This unit was part of an order for four supply vessels (PSVs) and two vessels specialising in towing and handling and anchoring of offshore platforms (AHTSSV) made in 2013 by Halul Offshore Services Co. WLL (HOSC) from Qatar to L&T Shipbuilding. “The delivery of the AHTSSV, with around $ 20 million each, was cancelled by HOSC in 2016 due to the fall in demand for services from the oil industry. The acquisition of the ship, which has been carried out through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) modality of the United States Department of Defence, will be managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the pre-delivery work is scheduled to be completed in Chennai, soon,” an informed source told Financial Express Online.

The Chilean Navy is undergoing modernisation. And India could offer Indian shipyards and industry for major ‘Make in India’ initiatives. Also, there could be a possibility of co-operation in the field of `Scorpene’ Submarines. “The Chilean Navy has been operating this class of Submarine since 2005 and has developed considerable operational and maintenance expertise. And from India’s point of view, there could be cooperation in training, procedures, documentation, syllabus, maintenance and repair aspects including inventory management without the influence of the OEM,” explained a source.

What Can India Do In The Region?

Delegations from the armed forces can visit these countries. And the Indian government can offer specialised training for officers in Basic and Advanced Mountain Warfare Courses. There could be cross deputation of instructors at respective training establishments. Cross deputation of instructors at respective training establishments; Cross deputation of observers during multinational exercises.

The focus markets will be Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras and other countries in the region which are looking for body armour, plates, aircraft protection, naval protection, for homeland security—bulletproof jackets, helmets, night vision devices, general munitions etc.

MSME MKU Company based in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor has been perhaps the only one from India working in the region for a number of years now. And have been regularly supplying body armour for security forces of several of the Latin American countries.

Shipbuilding Prospects With The South American Shipyards

Three nations in the region have three best shipyards that currently exist in the South American region: COTECMAR-Colombia; SIMA-Perú; and ASMAR-Chile. Though they already have full order books, Indian companies could look at joint ventures in shipbuilding.

The Attraction For BrahMos Missiles

Besides Chile, countries like Brazil too had discussions with the BrahMos officials about the possibility of buying the missiles from India.

Views of A Former Envoy To The Region

Ravi Bangar, Former Ambassador of India to Colombia & Ecuador, tells Financial Express Online, “Venezuela once a strong US ally in Latin America has faced sanctions since the times of Chavez. These have been further tightened during the Trump regime seeking nothing short of a regime change in this oil-rich nation. The sanctions regime has also prohibited the commercial sale and resupplies of arms to Venezuela since 2006. This degraded the Venezuelan forces’ preparedness to defend against possible US attacks, maintain law and order and combat organised crime. It alarmed and prompted Venezuela to look elsewhere for its defence requirements. The gap was promptly bridged by Russia and China.”

The recent tensions in the US-China relations underscored by trade wars, developments in the South China Sea, China’s aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific and other issues provide an opportunity for emerging countries like India to deepen and expand ties with Latin America including in the defence field.

According to Mr Bangar, “India should be in the pole position as it has hardware and experience of working in tough conditions with equipment and platforms of its own and diverse origin-Russian, US, French, UK etc. Further, Make in India drive in this sector while fulfilling domestic needs will also create surpluses for export. While India did supply some stores to a few Latin American countries, a lot more can be done. All this will require political support, a clear and credible policy, administrative innovation and determination, soft power leverage, right sales pitch, strong after-sales and hand holding in case of any turbulence.”

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India’s Space Diplomacy: Why Colombian Satellite Launch Is A Major Victory For The Country

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday successfully launched the PSLV-C43/HysIS mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It was a major boost for the 60 years of India-Colombia relations.

Many countries in the LatAm region including Colombia have been looking towards the US for space and military matters.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday successfully launched the PSLV-C43/HysIS mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It was a major boost for the 60 years of India-Colombia relations.

Diplomatic sources who wished to remain anonymous told Financial Express Online that, “The fact that a satellite from the South American nation Colombia was a co-passenger on board the PSLV-C43, is a big achievement for Indian Space diplomacy.”

“For India-Colombia relations on the cusp of 60 years, even space is not the limit,” said one senior Indian diplomat.

Many countries in the LatAm region including Colombia have been looking towards the US for space and military matters. “This launch of the Satellite from Colombia is also a signal to other countries in the region that the Indian Space agency has the capability of achieving inter-planetary missions in a cost-effective manner.”

Behind closed doors there were long hours of negotiations between both ISRO and officers from the Colombian Air Force for a long time before the launch was commercially contracted through Antrix Corporation Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO, revealed a senior officer.

Financial Express Online has been tracking India’s Space Diplomacy in the region for a while and it was the first to break news about Colombian Air Force ‘Facsat1’, which is 30 cm long and 10 metres high satellite to be launched onboard PSLV-C43.

It was after India’s successful Mars mission some years ago that which was proved that ISRO has the capability of achieving inter-planetary missions in a cost-effective manner, that several countries from across the globe have started looking at the agency for launching their satellites.

As reported earlier by the Financial Express Online, countries including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua are reaching out to the space agency for launching or developing satellites.

Today’s mission the sixth one this year that has used a polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), put HysIS – India’s own earth observation satellite, into orbit. As reported by FE earlier, the foreign satellites were placed in a 504 km orbit based on the request of the foreign customers.

While 23 satellites are from the US, the rest are from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Spain. Reportedly, so far over the years, ISRO has lifted and put in orbit 269 foreign satellites. The launch of these foreign satellites has been commercially contracted through Antrix Corporation Limited.

The HysIS is a state-of-the-art satellite. The heart of the satellite, a critical chip called the optical imaging detector array chip was designed by ISRO’s Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) and fabricated by Semi-Conductor Laboratory of ISRO. Hyperspectral imaging is an imaging spectroscopy which combines the power of digital imaging and spectroscopy.

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