In a significant diplomatic engagement, the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Ms. Raquel Peña Rodríguez, met with the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 3, 2023. This meeting holds special significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Dominican Republic.
President Murmu warmly welcomed Vice President Peña on her maiden visit to India and acknowledged the timeliness of the visit, considering the significant milestone in their bilateral relations. She emphasized that the ties between the two nations are characterized by warmth and friendship, built upon a strong foundation of shared democratic values and a convergence of perspectives on global issues.
“President Murmu also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s position as India’s 8th largest trading partner in Latin America. She expressed confidence in the potential for further diversification of the trade portfolio and emphasized the scope for collaborative efforts in areas such as pharmaceutical products, marine science, meteorology, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and digital payment technologies”.
“Capacity building emerged as a central aspect of India-Dominican Republic cooperation during their discussions. President Murmu was pleased to note that India has recently organized two specialized ITEC training courses for Dominican Republic officials in critical fields, including cyber security and remote sensing. These initiatives underscore India’s commitment to supporting the Dominican Republic in enhancing its expertise and capabilities”.
Both leaders concurred that sustained exchanges and frequent interactions between the two nations would play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties even further. This meeting not only celebrates a quarter-century of diplomatic relations but also serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and shared commitment to progress and cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic.