On September 16, 2024, Montevideo hosted the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Uruguay. The Indian delegation was headed by Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, while Mr. Nicolas Albertoni, Vice Foreign Minister of Uruguay, led the Uruguayan team.
The previous meeting took place in New Delhi in March 2023, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. This round of discussions focused on assessing the progress of bilateral relations and exploring potential new areas for collaboration. The talks covered a wide range of sectors, including Trade and Investment, Information & Communication Technology, Railways, Ayurveda and Yoga, Development Cooperation, Health and Pharma, Agriculture, and Consular matters.
Additionally, the delegations reviewed their joint efforts in multilateral institutions and exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
A notable result of the consultations was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Gainful Employment of Relatives of Diplomats. The agreement, signed by Mr. Dinesh Bhatia, Indian Ambassador to Argentina & Uruguay, and Mr. Nicolas Albertoni, aims to create employment opportunities for diplomats’ relatives, thereby enhancing bilateral relations.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with their progress and agreed to identify further avenues for cooperation. They also planned to schedule the next round of consultations at a mutually convenient time. During his visit, Secretary Mazumdar also met with Uruguayan Foreign Minister Omar Paganini to strengthen the strategic aspects of their bilateral relationship. The consultations reaffirmed both countries’ dedication to deepening their diplomatic and economic ties.
