India-Bolivia Joint Statement during State Visit of President to Bolivia (28-30 March, 2019)
March 30, 2019
At the invitation of the President of Plurinational State of Bolivia H. E. Evo Morales Ayma, the President of India, H. E. Shri Ram Nath Kovind is on an state visit to the Plurinational State of Bolivia from 28th to 30th March, 2019.
In this historic meeting both Heads of State:
Held a broad exchange of views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
Exchanged views on regional issues in Asia and Latin America including the Pro Tempore Presidency of Bolivia in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The multilateral issues of mutual interest, in particular reforms of the UNSC, fight against terrorism and climate change were discussed. Both sides agreed to closely coordinate their positions in the multilateral fora.
Reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ties of friendship and cooperation that unite their countries, in accordance with International Law and the principles and purposes consecrated in the United Nations Charter.
Stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They reaffirmed that all acts of terrorism are crimes against humanity, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They underlined the need for all States to resolutely fight terrorism. The two leaders affirmed the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. Denounced cross border terrorism in forceful terms. The Indian side thanked Bolivia for strongly condemning the Pulwama terror attack on 14 February 2019.
Called upon all countries to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists and terrorist entities and for the early finalization of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
Reaffirmed their commitment to reformed multilateralism including comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, accountable, effective, and reflective of the new realities of the 21st Century, in order to guarantee and strengthen the multilateral system to face the new challenges and threats to international peace and security. Bolivia reiterated it’s support for India’s candidature and India thanked Bolivia for this valuable support for India’s Non Permanent Membership of UNSC for the term 2021-22.
Recognized the need to tap into abundant solar energy to fight climate change. India welcomed the signing by the Plurinational State of Bolivia of the Framework Agreement of International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Reviewed the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations and agreed to widen and deepen cooperation in Trade and Commerce, Investments including commercial tie-ups, Mineral Resources, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare including traditional systems of medicine, Solar and renewable energy, ICT and Space, Capacity Building and technical cooperation, Education and Culture, among others.
Agreed to establish cooperation links in the field of geology and mineral resources, through sharing of good practices, exchange of experiences and development of joint activities. In this context, they welcomed singing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Geology and Mineral Resources.
Agreed to forge mutually beneficial partnership to facilitate Bolivian supplies of lithium Carbonate to India and foster joint ventures for Lithium battery / cell production plants in India. They agreed that the recent visit of a delegation from Khanij Bidesh India Limited, a joint venture of three mining public sector units, under the Ministry of Mines of India, to Lithium Mining areas and other facilities in the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia would help create concrete collaboration in this area particularly given India’s objective to have at least 30% of its vehicles run on electric batteries by 2030. They agreed to facilitate mechanisms for the commercialization of Lithium Carbonate and Potassium Chloride produced in Bolivia by Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos Corporación (YLB – Corporación). The Indian side proposed a follow-up visit to Bolivia by a delegation from National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage of India for taking forward the cooperation in the area of battery storage solutions.
Considering the enormous hydrocarbon potential of Bolivia and with a view to energy integration, based on the execution of a joint Gas Exploration Strategy, the leaders expressed their interest to explore investments in Exploration and Development of different areas of hydrocarbon interest. They agreed to explore the export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Bolivia to India, and also feasibility of laying a gas pipeline and setting up of a LNG plant on mutually agreed terms.
Considering health, both physical and spiritual, as a priority issue for both countries, and in view of India’s successful trajectory in pharma industry, agreed to collaborate in the pharmaceuticals, including hospital equipment with a view to establishing such industries in Bolivia through public-public and / or public-private ventures. The collaboration could include areas of mutual interest such as oncological immunotherapeutic antiretrovirals and vaccines as also diagnostic equipment. Indian side informed that a delegation from Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India would visit Bolivia. Similarly, Bolivian side informed their willingness to launch a delegation of officials and experts to India at a mutually convenient time, preferably coinciding with a sectoral pharma and healthcare equipment industry exhibition in India. Cooperation in the field of health would also include exchange of best practices between two countries including cooperation in traditional medicine. Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) are recognized traditional systems of medicine in India having the potential to solve emerging health problems across the globe. Cooperation in the field of these systems may include carrying out awareness programmes, organisation of Conferences, Workshops, Seminars and exchange of experts between academic and research Institutes of both the countries. The two leaders welcomed ongoing negotiations to conclude a cooperative MoU in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. Recognizing that Yoga is an invaluable gift of Indian tradition, the leaders underlined Yoga’s holistic approach to health and well-being. Indian side thanked Bolivia for its wholehearted support and participation every year in the International Day of Yoga.
Expressed their willingness to develop projects for sharing of experiences in space technology applications including use of Remote Satellite data in agriculture; forest protection and management; water resources and other related topics. They welcomed ongoing negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Bolivian Space Agency (ABE).
Agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of IT-ITeS (Information Technology – Information Technology Enabled Services) sector with a view to promote business to business cooperation and meeting the growing needs of present knowledge economy. The Indian Side agreed to collaborate with Bolivia in its efforts in the areas of capacity building in IT sector and project execution particularly in regard to Digital Government, smart infrastructure, e-Health, e-Education and use of emerging technologies. The two sides welcomed signing of an MoU to set up India-Bolivia Center of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology (CENETIC) in Cochabamba.
Highlighted the importance of trade, foreign investment and South-South cooperation in the deepening of bilateral relations based on the principles of complementarity, solidarity and the pursuit of common well-being.
Expressed satisfaction that the bilateral trade has grown significantly during the recent years, while noting that there was a lot of untapped potential. They particularly emphasized the need to diversify the trade basket and agreed to closely consult and exchange information to identify sectors that hold potential to strengthen bilateral trade, prioritizing therein value added products.
Agreed to facilitate bilateral investments and, towards this end, to create congenial atmosphere welcoming of public and private sector mutually beneficial tie ups, to give impetus to economic and commercial engagement.
Agreed to explore cooperation for the construction project of the Bioceanic Integration Railway Corridor that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Agreed to promote and strengthen Economic and Technical Cooperation (ITEC) both bilaterally and within the framework of the National Development Plans and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Bolivia welcomed offer by India of $100 mn Line of Credit for financing development projects and doubling of the ITEC slots offered by India to Bolivian nationals.
Agreed to promote the development of academic cooperation in areas of training and updating on international relations. They welcomed signing of an MoU between the Plurinational Diplomatic Academy of Bolivia and the Foreign Service Institute of India (FSI).
Agreed to promote tourist linkages, building on their rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage including historical monuments and sites that the two countries proudly host.
Reaffirmed that all cultures have the right to exist and to preserve their traditional practices that are inherent to their identity. They underlined that indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.
Welcomed the International Year of Indigenous Peoples Languages, to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages and to take further urgent steps at the national and international levels, and encourages to organize activities to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their languages, oral traditions, writing systems and literatures.
Recalling that the year 2019 marks 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, agreed to jointly celebrate through organization of commemorative events. Indian side informed that Indian Council for Cultural Relations would be happy to supply two busts of Mahatma Gandhi and Bolivian side agreed to their installation in a suitable location in La Paz and Santa Cruz.
Expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of their discussions and the emerging clear road map to deepen and widen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of their people.
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind thanked the people and Government of Bolivia on behalf of his delegation, for the warm welcome and hospitality extended during his visit.
He invited President Morales to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
Santa Cruz
March 29, 2019
