Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero concluded a two-day visit to New Delhi in which India and Ecuador launched talks on a possible Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to deepen commercial ties. The discussions aimed to expand bilateral trade, boost Indian pharmaceutical exports to Ecuador and strengthen cooperation on critical minerals needed by emerging industries and the energy transition.
In meetings with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the two sides reviewed a roadmap for a PTA and explored concrete measures to increase supplies of Indian medicines to Ecuador. They also discussed ways to reinforce mineral supply chains for copper and gold, identifying opportunities for closer industry and investment linkages.
Sommerfeld held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where both countries agreed to enhance cooperation across healthcare, agriculture, digital technology, cultural exchange and capacity building, as well as coordination on multilateral platforms. Ecuador formally conveyed its decision to join India-backed initiatives including the International Solar Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance, signalling alignment on climate action and biodiversity protection.
India and Ecuador signed a memorandum of understanding under which India will provide grant assistance of up to Rs 12 crore over five years for Quick Impact Projects designed to support socio-economic development and community welfare in Ecuador.
On the health front, 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 toward an MoU on health cooperation that could facilitate access to low-cost medicines and strengthen regulatory ties.
During the visit, the Ecuadorian foreign minister toured a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS to study low-cost medicine distribution models. She also reviewed India’s Digital Public Infrastructure—payment systems like UPI, direct benefit transfer mechanisms and digital identity frameworks such as Aadhaar—and discussed potential collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital governance.
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 and reflects growing momentum in bilateral engagement between India and Latin America.
