Colombia
Colombia and India established diplomatic relations on January 19, 1959 and will complete 60 years in 2019. In March 1972, Colombia opened its embassy in New Delhi, India. The following year India established its embassy in Bogota. In these years, the relationship between the two countries has expanded in political, commercial and cultural fields. India and Colombia have had friendly and cordial bilateral relations.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- Mission facilitated approval for multiple orders of Paracetamol for Colombian companies due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- Colombia has annually offered 8 to 9 scholarships for Language Assistants from 2017 – 2020. Another 8 scholarships to tourist guide to learn Spanish in Colombia were offered in 2017 and 2018.
- Colombian health professionals participated in the e-ITEC programme ‘Managing COVID-19 Pandemic- Experiences and Best Practices of India’ from 11-15 May 2020 and in a related course on 18 April 2020, both of which were organized by PGI Chandigarh.
- Under the ITEC programme, 25 school teachers have been trained in teaching of English language every year since 2015. The first ITEC festival to promote awareness of ITEC scholarships was held in the Embassy in May 2018.
- In 2018-19, 91 ITEC slots were utilized by Colombia. In 2019-20, the number of ITEC slots for Colombia was increased to 100, out of which 77 slots were utilized. The last ITEC day was celebrated at the Embassy in September 2021 over the virtual platform.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- An MoU on cooperation in Science and Technology between India and Colombia was signed in June 2005.
- An MoU on Bamboo Applications and R&D was signed between India and Colombia in November 2009. Under the MoU, Department of Science and Technology - the nodal agency from the Indian side - designated the National Mission of Bamboo Applications (NMBA) as the partner institute. A Colombian delegation visited India in October 2015 to pursue the implementation of the MOU on bamboo applications.
- Colombia is one of the founder members of the NAM S&T Centre in New Delhi. Colombia signed the Centre’s Statute in February 1985 in New York. COLCIENCIAS (the predecessor of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) has been representing Colombia as the Focal Point of the NAM S&T Centre.
- More than 15 scientists from Colombia have participated in the activities organized by the NAM S&T Centre with full financial support of the GOI. The NAM S&T Centre also has active cooperation with the Maloka Science Centre, Bogotá.
- On 29 November 2018, ISRO successfully launched defence nano-satellite ( FACSAT 1) of Colombian Air Force on the launch vehicle PSLV. It was the first ever Colombian Air Force nano-satellite. This was historic occasion in bilateral relations showcasing India’s prowess in space sciences.
- In September 2021, India and Colombia signed an MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of space.
- India and Colombia signed an MoU for cooperation in Health in 2010.
- In September-October 2021, a high level health delegation from Colombia visited India to explore areas of cooperation in health and pharmaceutical research including joint production of vaccines. During the visit, a Letter of Intent between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research (DHR), New Delhi, India and the Ministry of Health & Social Protection, Bogota, Colombia and the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, Bogota, Colombia for collaboration in various areas of health and bio-medical research was signed in New Delhi on 2 October 2021.
- Colombian Engineers were imparted to training at Central Electronics Limited Sahibabad in upkeep and maintenance of the energy unit of the donated solar lighting system in Tayrona National Park in Colombian city of Santa Marta.
