Ecuador
India and Ecuador established diplomatic relations in 1969. The Embassy of India in Bogota is concurrently accredited to Ecuador. Initially, Ecuador opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 1973, which functioned till 1977. The Ecuadorian Embassy re-opened in February 2005 and a Consulate General in Mumbai was established in 2013.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, India donated 1,00,000 tablets of HCQ to Ecuador on the request of the Embassy of Ecuador in New Delhi and facilitated export of 1.5 million HCQ tablets on commercial basis. Commercial export of paracetamol to Ecuador was also approved.
- On 14 August 2020, 4,00,000 HCQ tablets, 8000 units of Metronidazole and 8,000 units of Intravenous Paracetamol were donated to Ecuador.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- In 2007-08, at the request of Ecuador, a special IT course was conducted exclusively for 56 Ecuadorean nationals.
- A special course on “Science Technology and Innovation Policy” for 25 Ecuadorian universities Rectors was organized at the Indian Institute of Science in February - March 2020.
- In August 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Center of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) was signed in Quito with the Institute of High National Studies. The CEIT was established in the North Technical University [Universidad de Norte (UTN)], in the city of Ibarra. The CEIT-UTN became operational in May 2015. With the help of three C-DAC experts sent from India to train Ecuadorean nationals, the CEIT remained operational till April 2017 and trained 816 people.
- In November 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and University of Cuenca of Ecuador in higher education cooperation for promotion of scientific research and academic exchanges.
- In 2019-20, a special course on “Science Technology and Innovation Policy” for 25 Ecuadorian universities Rectors was organized at the Indian Institute of Science.
- As part of capacity building trainings, nearly 345 professionals from Ecuador have been trained in India under ITEC since 2002. Of these, 163 professionals have been trained just in the previous 9 years since 2014-15.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- Government of India donated medicines for relief to the victims of a severe earthquake in 1987.
- On the request of Ecuador, India donated medicines, worth USD 1 million through two separate donations in 2008 and 2010.
- Government of India donated 15 tonnes of medicines/equipment worth Rs. 1,61,29,957 to Ecuador in the wake of 16 April 2016 earthquake.
- Over the last few years, the Mission has been receiving Grant-in-Aid from Ministry of Culture, which is being utilized for yoga, Gandhi@150 related events, etc. through groups and Association of Friends of India who are involved in the promotion of promoting Indian culture and heritage.
- In June 2007, a Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 50 million to Ecuador was announced.
