Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday welcomed Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay, at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of his three-day State visit to India. The ceremonial reception was followed by bilateral discussions and a formal banquet hosted in honour of the visiting dignitary.
During the meeting, President Murmu reaffirmed the cordial and friendly relations between India and Paraguay, underlining the shared values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom of expression, peace, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. “These principles are deeply rooted in our civilizational values and historical experiences,” she said.
President Murmu expressed gratitude to the Government of Paraguay for its strong condemnation of terrorism and for its solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. She also appreciated Paraguay’s continued support for India’s stance on key global issues, especially in multilateral platforms like the United Nations.
The President acknowledged the growth in bilateral trade between the two countries but underlined the significant potential to expand trade and commercial ties further.
Pointing to shared developmental challenges as members of the Global South, President Murmu stressed that both countries are pursuing similar approaches to progress—focusing on education, employment, and capacity building to empower their populations economically. She added that India prioritizes using technology as a tool for sustainable development and aims to reduce the digital divide, offering to share its expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure with Paraguay.
Both leaders expressed optimism about deepening bilateral ties and agreed that the visit would pave the way for stronger relations and new areas of cooperation.