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Costa Rican and India agree to increase scholarship and eliminate visa requirements |
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 By the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
President Carlos Alvarado and the vice president of the Republic of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu met on Friday and were witnesses of cooperation agreements between the two nations. President Alvarado and vice president Naidu talked about cooperation issues in science and technology, biotechnology, renewable energies, trade, investment, education, and health. President Alvarado thanked Naidu for being the first representative of the government of India in Costa Rica. "We are very pleased because it is the first time we have received a high-ranking [Indian] delegation in our country." Vice president Naidu confirmed his admiration for the biodiversity that exists in Costa Rica, "thanks to the fact that citizens Costa Ricans show a disposition in favor of the environment." At the end of the meeting, both men acted as witnesses in the signing of the agreement between the two governments to increase the scholarships for Costa Ricans to study in India and eliminate the requirements for visas for people with diplomatic and service passports. The elimination of visa requirements between both governments, vice-chancellor Lorena Aguilar said, is intended to facilitate the exchange of service agents and direct communications between both nations. Another agreement was to expand cooperation in science and technology in the field of Biotechnology to increase the flow of investments. The exchange of scientists, apprentices or students between both countries will also be sought. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Science, Technology Luis Adrián Salazar Solís, and Ravi Thapar, the Ambassador of India in Panama. Vice president Naidu also gave a speech on "Confronting the Multiple Challenges of World Peace," at the University for Peace in Cuidad Colon*, and left the country on Saturday. Information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that trade between Costa Rica and India is valued at $200 million. Costa Rica imports $133 million in goods from India annually, mainly in products such as cars, motorcycles, and pharmaceuticals. Costa Rica's sales in India are predominately wood products. Among the cooperative programs between India and Costa Rica, is the Center of Excellence in Information Technology of the National Technical University (UTN) in Alajuela*. |
 Casa Presidencial courtesy photo President
Alvarado and the vice president Naidu were
witnesses of cooperation agreements between the
two nations.
It is coordinated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and is aimed at strengthening the capacities of companies in information technologies through the training of students from related careers in the UTN. India provides scholarships through the Technical and Economic Cooperation Program of India (ITEC). Since 2016, that country has offered 56 scholarships in different areas such as finance, technology, English language, agriculture, and renewable energy among others. In 2017, Costa Rica signed the adhesion to the International Solar Alliance, which is based in New Delhi. The Alliance is an international organization that hopes to maximize the use of solar energy. The Republic of India in South Asia is the seventh largest country by area and with more than 1.3 billion people, it is the second most populous country as well as the most populous democracy in the world. Costa Rica opened its Embassy in India in 2010. ---------- Which government will benefit the most with the elimination of visa for government officials, India or Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Link to reach the place on a map. |
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