New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita convened a meeting with Ecuador's Ambassador to India, Fernando Bucheli Vargas, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The discussion centered around strategies to fortify ties and collaborate in mutual areas of interest.

In a statement posted on X, Margherita expressed, "It was a pleasure to meet H.E. Mr. Fernando Bucheli Vargas, Ambassador of Ecuador to India, today. Following my visit to Ecuador in November 2025, we shared insights on cooperating in various sectors to enhance our bilateral relationship."

During his recent official visit to Ecuador last month, Margherita had a productive dialogue with Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa Azin, exploring avenues to enrich and diversify bilateral collaboration.

“It was an honor to meet Daniel Noboa Azin, President of Ecuador. I conveyed greetings from PM Narendra Modi and the citizens of India. Our discussion focused on strengthening and diversifying India-Ecuador bilateral relations,” Margherita tweeted after the meeting.

During his visit, the MoS also paid homage at the Monument of the Heroes of August in Quito, Ecuador's capital.

In a post on X, Margherita remarked, "This monument honors those who lost their lives for freedom and liberty. I felt nostalgic reflecting on their bravery and spirit."

Throughout his visit, the MoS engaged in discussions with Ecuadorian ministers and officials to enhance cooperation in critical sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, training, education, culture, tourism, trade, textiles, health, and pharmaceuticals.

He tweeted, "I was delighted to meet various Ministers and officials from Ecuador. We had fruitful discussions on strengthening collaboration in agriculture, AI, cybersecurity, training, education, culture, tourism, trade, textiles, health, and pharmaceuticals. India is committed to working with Ecuador in the spirit of South-South cooperation."

Additionally, the MoS met with Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign and Human Mobility Affairs, Gabriela Sommerfeld, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering cooperation between the diplomatic training institutions of both nations.

"I had a productive meeting with Gabriela Sommerfeld, Minister of Foreign and Human Mobility Affairs of Ecuador. We explored ways to enhance bilateral relations in political, trade, pharmaceuticals, training, and capacity building, among other mutual interests. We signed an MoU on cooperation between our diplomatic training institutions," Margherita posted on X.

Furthermore, Margherita and Sommerfeld jointly inaugurated the resident Embassy of India in Quito, highlighting India's dedication to strengthening its partnership with Ecuador.

“I am honored and thrilled to inaugurate the resident Embassy of India in Quito alongside Gabriela Sommerfeld, Ecuador's Foreign Minister. This event underscores India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ecuador and marks a significant milestone in our bilateral relations,” Margherita tweeted.

India and Ecuador established diplomatic relations in 1969. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Foreign Office Consultations in 2000, with five rounds of consultations held in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2023.