PM arrives in Mexico

Mexico City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today on the final leg of his five-nation tour during which he will hold talks with Mexican President Enrique Pe a Nieto on key bilateral issues.

Modi, who arrived here from the US, is expected to discuss a host of issues with Nieto including India’s NSG membership bid.

“Reached Mexico City. The visit is brief but substantial ground will be covered in my talks with @PresidenciaMX: PM,” a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Hola M xico! PM @narendramodi lands in Mexico city for an important evening of diplomacy,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu was present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister.

“A familiar face. PM @narendramodi is received by Ms Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, Foreign Minister,” Swarup said in another tweet.

This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister after 1986 when then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited that country.

In 2012, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Mexico to attend the G20 summit.

“I look forward to meeting President Pe a Nieto on June 8 during my visit to Mexico, a privileged partner in the Latin American region,” Modi had said ahead of his five nation tour that also took him to Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland and the US.

“President Pe a Nieto has ushered in far reaching reforms.

I look forward to sharing our experiences. This is the first Prime Ministerial bilateral visit to Mexico after 30 years.

Though short, the visit has a substantial agenda to take our partnership to new heights,” he said.

A familiar face. PM @narendramodi is received by Ms Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, Foreign Minister pic.twitter.com/Cvywq8ubhw

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2016

Mexico Prez drives Modi to restaurant for dinner

Mexico City: In a special gesture, Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto today drove Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a restaurant for dinner, a Mexican vegetarian fare.

“In a very special gesture, President @EPN personally drives @narendramodi to a restaurant for Mexican vegetarian fare,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with a photo that showed the 49-year-old Nieto behind the wheel with Modi sitting beside him.

The two headed to a restaurant called ‘Quintonil’ to bond over vegetarian dinner.

“Bonding over bean tacos! President @EPN and PM @narendramodi share a meal,” Swarup tweeted along with photos showing the two leaders chatting away while sitting at a table in the restaurant.

Earlier, Nieto also took to Twitter to welcome Modi, who flew in from Washington for a brief visit to Mexico.

Bonding over bean tacos! President @EPN and PM @narendramodi share a meal pic.twitter.com/ckmsmpjWo7

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 9, 2016

“It’s an honor to welcome you to our country, PM @narendramodi. I trust that your stay in @Mexico will be both productive and pleasant,” he wrote. PTI

After a media interaction together, Modi and Nieto signed copies of their joint photograph.

Upon his arrival in Mexico for the brief visit, Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian community.

“Memorable welcome for PM @narendramodi in Mexico City.

The enthusiastic Indian community turns out in large numbers,” Prime Minister’s official twitter handle posted along with a video.

“I thank the Indian community in Mexico City for a very warm welcome,” Modi said in another tweet.

Press Statement by Prime Minister during his visit to Mexico

June 08, 2016
Your Excellency President Enrique Peña Nieto

Dear Friends,

Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente!

Thank you, Mr. President for your generous welcome.

I am particularly touched by your warmth and hospitality. Although this is my first visit to your great country as the Prime Minister, I had experienced the richness of your culture during my travel in early nineties as a common Indian. We are meeting for the third time in last two years. I have always found my conversations with you deeply stimulating. I truly value your friendship Mr. President.

Friends, Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognize India. Since then, the trajectory of our all round bilateral ties has shown growing intensity. In 2007 we established Privileged Partnership. Today, during our conversations, President and I held productive discussions on the entire range of bilateral relations, and on global issues of mutual interests. We have agreed to work and develop a roadmap of concrete outcomes to upgrade our ties to a Strategic Partnership.

Friends,

Ties of business and investment are an important driver of our relationship. Mexico is an important partner for India’s energy security. We are now looking to move beyond a buyer-seller relationship, and into a long-term partnership. Information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries are among key growth areas of our commercial linkages. But, there is potential to expand our commercial and investment, and Science and Technology partnerships in new areas. In this regard, President and I agreed to find ways to deepen our cooperation in Space, and science and technology. We will also prioritize concrete projects in areas of agricultural research; bio-technology; waste management; disaster warning and management, and solar energy. I would like to particularly thank President Pena Nieto for his support to the International Solar Alliance. It will transform the global canvas for solar technology, especially for developing and Small Island Developing countries.

Friends,

President and I recognize the opportunities and challenges of this century. We both feel that our growing convergence on international issues allows us to join our capacities to strengthen international regimes of strategic importance. I thank President Pena Nieto for Mexico’s positive and constructive support for India’s membership of the NSG

Excellency,

I see in you a reformer and believer in the destiny of this country. I too am focused on reforming India’s economic and governance structures. This is one area where our sharing of best practices can benefit both our societies. Friends, In his book “In Light of India”, the great author Octavio Paz wrote, “I can understand what it means to be Indian, because I am Mexican”. Of course, it is true the other way too! I believe we have succeeded today in strengthening this mutual understanding further. It has been a wonderful visit. Excellency, I once again thank you for your welcome, your friendship and belief in India-Mexico friendship. And, I look forward to welcoming you Señor Presidente in India at the earliest opportunity.

Thank you, Thank you very much.

India-Mexico Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to Mexico (June 08, 2016)

1.At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, President of the United Mexican States, His Excellency Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India paid a working visit to Mexico on 8th June 2016, with the objective to continue the dialogue held by the two leaders on the margins of the 70thregular session of the United Nations General Assembly on 28th September 2015.

2.The leaders recognized the opportunities to define the path of the India-Mexico Privileged Partnership for the 21st Century that allows the growth of bilateral relations in economic field, in science and technology and in the most important issues of the global agenda reflecting a broad convergence of long-term political, economic and strategic goals.

3.President Enrique Peña Nieto elaborated on the structural reforms undertaken in Mexico to promote economic growth and development. On his part, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi highlighted the initiatives undertaken by his Government for the economic growth and the improvement of standard of living of the people.

In this context, both leaders:

Political Dialogue

4.Instructed the Foreign Ministers of both countries to develop the roadmap of the Privileged Partnership suitable for the 21stCentury, in the framework of the Seventh Mexico-India Joint Commission Meeting to be held in Mexico in 2016.

5.Look forward to the results of the Sixth Meeting of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology, and the Fourth Meeting of the High Level Group on Trade, Investment and Cooperation, which will be held in Mexico during the second half of 2016.

6.The two countries will update the bases of cooperation according to a convergent and comprehensive plan, will evaluate the progress made in diverse fields and will set new objectives and themes to strengthen the agenda of bilateral relations.

7.Had a detailed exchange of views on the regional issues of mutual interest, including the political and economic developments in Latin America, the CELAC and the Pacific Alliance, as well as the current situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Economic Partnership

8.Underscored the increasing importance of diversifying the economic exchanges to promote trade and investment to a level corresponding to their true potential.

9.Stressed the necessity of developing a greater connectivity between the two countries and encouraging cooperation in the infrastructure sector, among small and medium enterprises, in pharmaceutical products, in energy, in the automobile sector, in Information and Communication Technology, in agriculture, in food processing and in other related sectors.

10.Noted with satisfaction the growing interest for investment of the Indian companies in the energy sector – attracted by the structural reforms carried out in Mexico, as well as the opportunities for Mexican companies in the Indian market.

11.Agreed that cooperation is key to promote the investment and the use of solar energy. The two sides agreed to explore ways and means to boost the objectives of the International Solar Alliance.

12.Stressed the importance of promoting increased exchanges between the peoples of the two countries for better understanding and strengthening of bilateral links in the areas of culture, education and tourism.

Bilateral Cooperation

13.Exchanged points of views and welcomed the opportunities offered by the convergence between the National Digital Strategy of Mexico and the Digital India Initiative, which share common objectives.

14.Welcomed collaboration in space science, earth observation, climate and environmental studies, and the efficient use of space-related resources available in India as well as in Mexico for remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

15.Considering that both countries have huge diaspora communities abroad, the Leaders agreed on exchanging views, information and share best practices with respect to the participation of networks, organizations and individuals in their diasporas in the development of communities of their origin and their residence, as well as for the welfare and protection of their respective nationals in foreign countries.

Dialogue on Global Affairs

16.Pledged to continue promoting the shared goals of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as solutions with multilateral perspective, as well as to continue promoting cooperation on international security issues.

17.Reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

18.Reaffirmed the importance to have an effectivemultilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, and agreed on the importance of continuing supporting the progress in the process of comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council.

19.Noted productive and substantive cooperation in the context of their participation in G-20.

20.Welcomed with satisfaction the successful conclusion of the Climate Change Conference held in Paris in December 2015 and applauded the signing by both countries of the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016. They committed to ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible, as well as to develop new and renewable sources of energy to meet the developmental challenges of their respective countries.

21.President Enrique Peña Nieto cordially invited the Indian Prime Minister to visit Mexico again on a State visit in the near future. Similarly, Prime Minister Modi invited President Peña Nieto to pay a State visit to India. They agreed that suitable dates would be worked out through diplomatic channels.

Mexico backs India’s NSG membership bid after Swiss support

Mexico City: India today secured Mexico’s backing in its bid to become member of the NSG as it aggressively scouted for support ahead of a crucial meeting of the 48-nation nuclear trading bloc in Vienna.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced his country’s support to India’s membership for the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after holding wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a major focus on further deepening cooperation in a range of areas including trade and investment, information technology, energy and space.

“Mexico recognises India’s bid to be part of the NSG. As a country, we are going to be positively and constructively supporting India’s request in recognition of the commitment by Prime Minister Modi to the international agenda of disarmament and non proliferation of nuclear weapons,” Nieto said at a joint media interaction with Modi.

On his part, the Prime Minister thanked the Mexican President for his country’s support and called Mexico an important partner for India’s energy security.

He said both the countries have agreed to work and develop a “roadmap of concrete outcomes” to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership.

He added: “We both feel that our growing convergence on international issues allows us to join our capacities to strengthen international regimes of strategic importance. I thank President Pena Nieto for Mexico’s positive and constructive support for India’s membership of the NSG.”

Modi on Monday visited Switzerland, another key member of the NSG, and the European country – known to have strong proliferation concerns – had announced its support to India’s candidature at the bloc that looks after critical issues relating to nuclear sector and its members are allowed to trade in and export nuclear technology.

Membership of the grouping will help India significantly expand its atomic energy sector.

A meeting of the NSG later today in Vienna is scheduled to discuss India’s membership application which will be followed by another meeting on June 24 in Seoul.

India has been reaching out to NSG member countries seeking support to its membership.

China has been opposing India’s membership at the premier club, arguing that it was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The US has been strongly supporting India and asked various NSG members to support New Delhi’s bid.

The issue had figured prominently during talks between Modi and US President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.

The US and many other NSG member countries have supported India’s inclusion based on its non-proliferation track record.

The NSG works under the principle of unanimity and even one country’s vote against India will scuttle its bid.

India has been pushing for membership of the bloc for last few years and had formally moved its application on May 12. .

Earlier this week, India cleared all hurdles in getting membership of the the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a key anti-proliferation grouping, as no member country opposed its entry into it.

Membership of the group will help India access high-end missile technology.

The NSG had granted an exclusive waiver for India in 2008 to access civil nuclear technology after China reluctantly backed India’s case based on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

In their talks, Modi and Nieto deliberated extensively on expanding cooperation in trade and investment.

Complimenting the Mexican President for his reform initiatives, the Prime Minister said he was focusing on reforming India’s economic and governance structures, adding that sharing of best practices can benefit both the countries.

“Mexico is an important partner for India’s energy security. We are now looking to move beyond a buyer-seller relationship, and into a long-term partnership.

“Information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries are among key growth areas of our commercial linkages. But, there is potential to expand our commercial and investment, and Science and Technology partnerships in new areas.

“In this regard, President and I agreed to find ways to deepen our cooperation in Space, and science and technology,” said Modi.

He said both sides decided to prioritise “concrete projects” in areas of agricultural research, bio-technology, waste management, disaster warning and management, and solar energy.

“I would like to particularly thank President Pena Nieto for his support to the International Solar Alliance. It will transform the global canvas for solar technology, especially for developing and Small Island Developing countries,” said the Prime Minister.

Modi also quoted renowned author Octavio Paz.

He said: “Friends, In his book ‘In Light of India’, the great author Octavio Paz wrote, ‘I can understand what it means to be Indian, because I am Mexican’. Of course, it is true the other way too! I believe we have succeeded today in strengthening this mutual understanding further.

“It has been a wonderful visit,” he added.

Later, both sides issued a joint statement which said the two leaders recognised the opportunities to define the path of the “India-Mexico Privileged Partnership for the 21st Century” to promote growth of bilateral ties and cooperation in global issues reflecting a broad convergence of long-term political, economic and strategic goals.

They also reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said the joint statement.

The two leaders pledged to continue promoting the shared goals of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as solutions with multilateral perspective, as well as to continue promoting cooperation on international security issues.

It said they instructed the Foreign Ministers of both countries to develop a roadmap of the privileged partnership under the framework of the Seventh Mexico-India Joint Commission Meeting to be held in Mexico later this year.

Both sides welcomed with satisfaction the successful conclusion of the Climate Change Conference held in Paris in December 2015 and applauded the signing by both countries of the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016, the joint statement said, adding they committed to ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible, as well as to develop new and renewable sources of energy to meet the developmental challenges of their respective countries.

“The two countries will update the bases of cooperation according to a convergent and comprehensive plan, will evaluate the progress made in diverse fields and will set new objectives and themes to strengthen the agenda of bilateral relations,” the joint statement said.

Both sides also reaffirmed the importance to have an “effective multilateral system”, with the United Nations at its core, and agreed on the importance of continuing to support the progress in the process of comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council.

It said the two leaders had a detailed exchange of views on the regional issues of mutual interest, including the political and economic developments in Latin America, the CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and the Pacific Alliance, as well as the current situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Modi and Nieto stressed the necessity of developing a greater connectivity between the two countries and encouraging cooperation in various sectors including infrastructure, pharmaceutical, energy, automobile, Information and Communication Technology, agriculture, and food processing among others.

It said the two sides agreed to explore ways and means to boost the objectives of the International Solar Alliance.

The two sides exchanged points of view and welcomed the opportunities offered by the convergence between the National Digital Strategy of Mexico and the Digital India Initiative, which share common objectives, said the joint statement.

It said they welcomed collaboration in space science, earth observation, climate and environmental studies, and the efficient use of space-related resources available in India as well as in Mexico for remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

President Nieto cordially invited the Modi to Mexico again on a state visit in the near future.

Modi also invited Nieto to pay a state visit to India.

“They agreed that suitable dates would be worked out through diplomatic channels,” the joint statement said.

The Prime Minister arrived here earlier in the day from Washington on his last leg of the five-nation tour.

PM Modi heads home after wrapping up 5-nation tour

Mexico City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for home after wrapping up a brief visit to Mexico on the final leg of his five-nation tour, which also took him to the US and Afghanistan.

“Thank you Mexico. A new era in India-Mexico ties has begun and this relationship is going to benefit our people and the entire world,” Modi tweeted.

“Five days, five countries! After a productive visit to Mexico, the last leg of his journey, PM departs for Delhi,” External Affairs Minister Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The tour, that began on June 4, saw Modi visiting Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico with an aim to bolster ties.

Besides addressing a joint sitting of the US Congress, Modi received the backing of two key Nuclear Suppliers Group members – Switzerland and Mexico – for its bid to secure the membership of the 48-nation bloc.

He also held wide-ranging talks with President Barack Obama at the White House following which the US recognised India as a “major defence partner”.

With inputs from PTI, PIB and MEA