INDIA MEXICO in
A Monthly Newsletter | Vol. III, No. 1 | January 2019
70th Republic Day
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019
30th Annual Meeting of Mexican Ambassadors and Consuls
In this Issue LEAD STORIES Republic Day of India Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 Ambassador participated in the 30th Annual Meeting of Mexican Ambassadors and Consuls India and Mexico Consultative Meeting BUSINESS
Business engagements begin with the new year
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CULTURAL CONNECT
Bharat ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz Presentation of Indian classical dances Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi Gandhi@150 Gandhi Exhibition Martyrs Day La Embajada de India lamenta el fallecimiento de la Embajadora Graciela de la Lama y Gómez IN MEDIA India Is Now Mexico’s Eighth-Largest Trade Partner by Thérèse Margolis Colorido festejo en México del Día de la India FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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Embassy of India
Musset No. 325, Col. Polanco, CDMX, 11550
Tels. 55 31 10 02/1050/4636/6638, 55 45-14 91, 52 03-4803 Fax: 52 54 23 49 Website: www.indiainmexico.gov.in Email: info.mexico@mea.gov.in To receive an electronic copy of this newsletter, please contact: library.mexico@mea.gov.in Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Ambassador Research, Edition and Design: Juhi Rai, Viviana Vizcaino Perea, Ricardo Pérez Torres
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India in Mexico • January 2019
Republic Day of India The Republic Day of India is celebrated every year on 26 January. It is celebrated on this date because the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system completing the country's transition towards becoming an independent republic. The Republic Day celebrations began in India with the flag hoisting by Honorable President of India followed by military parade of all the three wings of the armed forces- Army, Air Force and Navy and tableau of different states of India. The delegates of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 also witnessed the grandeurs of the Republic Day celebration this year.“Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa“, the fifth and current President of South Africa was the Chief Guest on 70th Republic Day of India. The theme of the Republic Day 2019 celebration was ‘Gandhi’ as India celebrates his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
Republic Day @Embassy of India, Mexico City
70th Republic Day was celebrated at the Embassy of India, Mexico City premises. Ambassador Muktesh K. Pardeshi hoisted the National Flag and read out the President of India’s address to the Nation. President of India, Sri Ram Nath Kovind commemorated the values of democracy and emphasized the strength of India’s diversity, democracy and development in his address. The celebration continued with a cultural performance from teachers and students of Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre to an audience of over 300 people from the Indian Community in Mexico with a special segment on "Vaishnava Jana To" and Gandhi@150. A video on promotion of culture of India was launched at this ocassion and a ceremony of awarding of certificates to the students of GTICC took place as well.
India in Mexico • January 2019
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The Reception for the Republic day of India took place at India House on January 28. The reception was graced by Government officials and prominent members of the Diplomatic and Mexican society. The Vice Minister of Energy, Mr. Alberto Montoya Martin del Campo; Vice Minister of Cultural Development, Mr. Edgar San Juan; President of Commission of Culture and Cinematography of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Sergio Mayer Breton; Deputy, Mr. Alfredo Villegas Arreola were some of the prominent guests to list. Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi emphasized the growing relations between India and Mexico which has resulted in India becoming the top 8th trade partner of Mexico.
India in Mexico • January 2019
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India in Mexico • January 2019
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019
What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)? Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots. During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.
India in Mexico • January 2019
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15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 was organised
at Varanasi from 2123 January 2019. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 was "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". The 15th PBD was inaugurated by The Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi along with The Prime Minister of Republic of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, the Chief Guest for PBD 2019 on 22nd January. The Prime Minister of Mauritius delivered the Keynote Address at the inaugural ceremony. The Honorable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind delivered the valedictory keynote address on 23rd January, emphasising on the importance of the overseas Indian community in building a New India. The Government of India invited participation from all over the world to be a part of the grand celebrations of the Convention. Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram, who is an Indian born Mexican scientist and winner of the 2014 World Food Prize was awarded the Pravasi Bhartiya Samaan Award in 2015. At the invitation of the Government of India, he attended PBD Convention 2019 and the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath, New Delhi. The Embassy celebrated the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on 9 January 2019. Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of engagement with the overseas Indian Community. An exhibition on the life of the greatest Pravasi-Mahatma Gandhi- was also unveiled.
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India in Mexico • January 2019
Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi participated in the 30th Annual Meeting of Mexican Ambassadors and Consuls
India and Mexico Consultative Meeting Authorities of International Book Fair Guadalajara (FIL) held a preparatory meeting with the authorities of the National Book Trust, India in presence of Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi in Delhi to discuss the modalities for preparation of this edition of the FIL Guadalajara. India is the Guest of Honor Country for this edition of FIL taking place from 22nd November-8 December, 2019.
On 11 January, Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi addressed the 30th Annual Meeting of Mexican Ambassadors and Consuls on India´s pro-active policy of engagement with its community abroad. Ambassador spoke on different initiatives of the Governments, such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, PBD Awards, Welfare Fund, OCI scheme and Know India programme. He also highlighted the growing role of Indian professionals in Mexico.
India in Mexico • January 2019
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Business engagements begin with the new year The New Year started with several activities for India, which set the tone of the bilateral commercial engagements for the year. The Ambassador and the Commercial Representative met with Ms. Rocio Nahle Garcia, the new Minister of Energy on 8 January, 2019 to discuss India-Mexico Cooperation in the energy sector. They also talked about her upcoming visit to India to participate in PETROTECH 2019-India´s flagship International Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition in February. Mexico´s Ambassador to India, Melba Pria, was also present in the meeting. India is the 3rd biggest buyer of Mexican crude oil and with growing consumption of oil in India, this relationship is bound to continue.
In January, the first trade delegation also landed in Mexico. 30 Indian companies participated in InterModa 2019 (Jan edition) under the banner of Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO) from 15-18 January, 2019. The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Mr. Xavier Orendain Martinez, Honorary Consul of India in Guadalajara and Mr. Xavier Orendain de Obeso, President of CANACO Guadalajara. Indian companies have been participating regularly in this international show for past 3 years. The exports of textiles product has been growing continuously. In 2017-18, India exported goods worth 101 million USD in this sector.
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India in Mexico • January 2019
A six member trade delegation also went from Mexico to India to participate in Indus Food – the flagship event of Trade Promotion Council of India in food sector. This year over 700 buyers had participated in Indus Food from over 80 countries and interacted with over 400 Indian exporters in this mega fair. On the side-lines of Indus Food, a roundtable discussion was also organised between India and Latin American delegates. From Mexico, Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment & Technology (COMCE) participated in this discussion. On behalf of COMCE, Mr. Jorge Lopez Morton, Vice President signed an MoU on Cooperation with TPCI for further engagement to enhance bilateral commercial relationship and exchanges between the two countries.
As the growth trajectory of India Mexico bilateral relationship consolidates, the importance of building institutions cannot be ignored. India Mexico Business Chamber was founded in 2006, however, since 2012 it has been inactive. The Embassy has shown the intent of reviving the chamber with the support of Indian and Mexican business community. The first discussion meeting regarding the revival of India Mexico Business Chamber (IMBC) was held on 17 January, 2019 at the Embassy Auditorium. About 23 companies participated in the discussion on the proposed format of the chamber. The bilateral trade has been growing well in the past three years. India is now the 8th biggest trade partner of Mexico. In the first 11 months of 2018, 9.26 billion USD worth of trade has been recorded. It is projected to reach 10 billion USD as the data on the year is complited.
(Ashwani Kumar, com.mexico@mea.gov.in, 5531-1050 Ext 324, 117, 321)
India in Mexico • January 2019
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Bharat ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz The second edition of 'Bharat Ko Janiye'(Know India) quiz was held in 2018. This quiz is conducted to motivate overseas Indian youth to enhance their knowledge about India. Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz was open for categories of participants – PIO, NRI & Foreign Nationals between 15 to 35 years. The entire quiz was organized in 4 rounds. The first round of quiz was executed by the Embassy of India, Mexico City. The second round was conducted online.
Ambassador also felicitated Mr. Srikant S. Sarma on winning the first round of Bharat ko Janiye(Know India)Quiz in NRI/ PIO category from Mexico on 9 January.
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India in Mexico • January 2019
Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi felicitated Ms. Daniela Paz Solis. winner of the first and second rounds of Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz from Mexico. Ms.Paz qualified in the first two rounds in the category of Foreign Nationals. She visited India to attend the third and fourth rounds of the Quiz and the 15 day Bharat ko Janiye Yatra. She was felicitated by Honorable External Affairs Minister of India Mrs. Sushma Swaraj.
Presentation of Indian classical dances Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi
Indian classical dances Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi were presented by Ms. Navya Maitri Konda and Ms. Vedya Spurthi Konda in the Embassy auditorium on 3rd January 2019. The dancers enthralled the audience with their graceful presentation of the nuances of Indian classical dances.
Gandhi@150
Gandhi Exhibition
The Embassy of India organized a photo exhibition on the life of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 150th Birth Anniversary in the Embassy auditorium. It was inaugurated by Amb. Muktesh Pardeshi on 9 January, 2019 to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India on 9 January,1915. The exhibition was open to the public till January 31, 2019.
India in Mexico • January 2019
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Martyrs Day Martyrs Day was marked on 30 January at Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. Martyrs Day is marked on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Government of India is commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. Mahatma Gandhi led India´s non-violent freedom movement and is therefore regarded as the Father of Nation.
La Embajada de India lamenta el fallecimiento de la Embajadora Graciela de la Lama y Gómez
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India in Mexico • January 2019
India Is Now Mexico’s Eighth-Largest Trade Partner By Thérèse Margolis
India is now Mexico’s eighth-largest trade partner, with a combined commercial exchange of more than $10 billion in 2018, according to that country’s diplomatic envoy to Mexico. “Last year marked a significant growth in both our trade and investment ties with Mexico,” said Indian Ambassador to Mexico Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi during his official welcome speech at his embassy’s Republic Day reception at his Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec residence on Monday, Jan. 28. “Our combined two-way trade surpassed the $10 billion mark for the first time, raising India’s ranking two pegs to become Mexico’s eighth-largest trade part-
ner.” Pardeshi went on to note that when he first arrived in Mexico in 2016, India ranked Number 13 among Mexico’s trade partners. And 10 years ago, he said, combined bilateral trade amounted to just $2.9 billion annually. At the time, India was not even included among Mexico’s top 20 trade partners. “In 2018, Mexico also emerged as India’s largest trade partner in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Pardeshi said. “There are today more than 180 Indian companies with a financial presence in Mexico, mainly in the information technologies, pharmaceutical and automotive industries … but also, recently, in new sectors such as food and tractors.” The ambassador said that Indian corporations , with a accumulated investment of more than $2 billion, now provide jobs for more than 30,000 Mexican workers. Pardeshi pointed out that 2018 was “a year of political transition” for Mexico, and in December, Indian Prime Minister
Colorido festejo en México del Día de la India Texto y fotografías: Luis Felipe Hernández Beltrán
“Pintan” mujeres el evento con sus saris (traje típico de la India) No cabe duda que para hacer fiesta, al menos en México, la India se pinta de colores. Y no, no lo decimos por la camaradería o porque los diplomáticos indios en México sean buenos anfitriones, pues gustan de agasajar a sus invitados con deliciosa comida de ese país asiático. Ni tampoco con sus danzas estilo Bollywood ni su música tradicional con la que gustan amenizar los convivios. Y aunque también puede quedar la metáfora, no lo decimos por lo soleado y caluroso del día, pese a estar en plena temporada invernal. Es la belleza de sus mujeres, diplomáticas indias en México, trabajadoras de la embajada india, integrantes de la comunidad india radicadas en nuestro país, y algunas mexicanas invitadas especiales, quienes hacen resaltar su beldad con los saris, nombre del traje típico de la India. Algunas en distintos tonos verdes, azules, rosas, amarillos y rojos, y hasta en colores blancos o negros, destacando mezclas,
Shri Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) offering his support to elevate the “privileged” bilateral association to new height’s during AMLO’s six-year term. The ambassador also spoke about bilateral cultural cooperation between India and Mexico. In 2018, he recalled, India was the invited guest nation of honor during the 46th edition of the International Cervantino Festival (FIC) in Guanajuato, and this year, India will be the invited guest nation of honor at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara. Republic Day, one of two Indian national holidays, marks that country’s birth as a republic when the new nation’s constitution was officially approved and implemented. While India became independent in 1947, it continued for some time to have dominion status under the British. It was not until Nov. 26, 1949, when India adopted a constitution that went into effect on Jan. 26, 1950, and formally became a sovereign republic.
fusiones y estampados en las prendas; pero todas dignas de apreciarse y admirarse. ¡Son quienes le ponen color a la fiesta! Así, con toda esa gama de colores, fue el reciente festejo del 70 aniversario del Día de la República de la India, celebrado en México, la tarde de ayer, lunes 28 de enero de 2019, en la residencia del embajador Muktesh K. Pardeshi, en la colonia Lomas Virreyes de la capital mexicana. Un evento en el que también hubo una mezcla, quizá no tan colorida como los saris, de políticos, empresarios, académicos, diplomáticos, artistas y periodistas; destacando un controvertido Sergio Mayer, presidente de la Comisión de Cultura y Cinematografía de la Cámara de Diputados; o la reconocida bailarina de danzas indias, Kate Asmara, y hasta la icónica voz de la locutora radiofónica Mariana Braun. Tal como en octubre de 2018 en el Festival Internacional Cervantino de Guanajuato, en los próximos noviembre y diciembre de este 2019, la India se volverá a “pintar de colores” en la Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara, donde el país de Las mil y una noches es invitado de honor. Año en el que también se conmemoran los 150 años del natalicio de Mahatma Gandhi. Y ni qué decir de las múltiples labores altruistas que realiza la Asociación de Cónyuges de Diplomáticos (ACD), que por segundo año consecutivo, tendrán los colores de la India, pues volverá a estar presidida por la señora Rakhi Pardeshi, esposa del embajador indio en México. Como desde 1950, cuando iniciaron las relaciones diplomáticas entre los dos países, los colores de la India en México, siguen brillando… y seguirán luciendo por muchos años más… India in Mexico • January 2019
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India in Mexico • January 2019
India in Mexico • January 2019
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Visa Tourism Helpline: 1800 111 363 Short code: 1363 @IndiaInMexico @GTICCMexico @IndEmbMexico @GTICCMEXICO
Embassy of India: info.mexico@mea.gov.in GTICC: gticc.mexico@mea.gov.in Embassy of India: 55 31 10 50 & 55 31 10 02 GTICC: 52 03 11 17 & 52 03 06 19 Embassy of India: Musset 325, Col. Polanco, 11550, CDMX GTICC: Anatole France 319, Col. Polanco, 11550, CDMX