Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero concluded a two-day visit to New Delhi in which India and Ecuador began talks on a possible Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) aimed at boosting trade ties, pharmaceutical exports and cooperation on critical minerals. In discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, both sides examined a roadmap for a PTA and ways to scale up Indian pharmaceutical supplies to Ecuador. They also explored strengthening supply-chain partnerships for minerals such as copper and gold, important for emerging industries and energy transition needs.
Sommerfeld held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with both countries agreeing to deepen collaboration in healthcare, agriculture, digital technology, cultural exchanges, capacity building and on multilateral platforms. Ecuador formally conveyed its decision to join the International Solar Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance, aligning with India-backed initiatives on climate action and biodiversity.
India and Ecuador signed an MoU under which India will provide grant assistance of up to Rs 12 crore over five years for Quick Impact Projects to support socio-economic development and community welfare in Ecuador. In the health sector, Sommerfeld met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to discuss affordable healthcare solutions, regulatory cooperation and Ecuador’s consideration of recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia; both sides agreed to work towards an MoU on health cooperation.
The Ecuadorian minister visited a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS to study low-cost medicine distribution and also examined India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including UPI-like payment systems, direct benefit transfers and digital identity frameworks such as Aadhaar, along with potential collaboration in artificial intelligence. Sommerfeld paid tribute at Rajghat, engaged with Indian industry groups and inaugurated Ecuador’s Cultural Center in New Delhi. The visit follows India’s opening of a resident embassy in Quito in November 2025, reflecting growing momentum in bilateral engagement with Latin America.
