New Delhi. The First Round of India- Panama Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi on September 11 in which the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including how to further broaden and strengthen Indo-Panamanian cooperation, were discussed.

The Indian delegation was led by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (East) Preeti Saran and Luis Miguel Hincapie, Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, led the Panamanian delegation.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the negotiations of MoUs/ Agreements in the areas of Cultural Exchange Programme, Gainful Employment of members of Diplomatic Mission and Consular Posts, Maritime Shipping and Port Development and called upon to expedite negotiations on Tax Information Exchange Agreement, Establishment of Earth Station in Panama, Traditional Medicine and Homeopathy.

Important regional and multilateral issues including India’s ongoing engagement with Community of Latin American Caribbean States (CELAC), Central American Integration System (SICA), Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals and UN Reforms were also discussed.

Views on sub-regional, regional and global issues of mutual interest were also exchanged between the two groups during the Consultations.