The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, Ms Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, paid an official visit to India from April 29 to May 1, 2026, at the invitation of the Government of India. This visit follows the recent opening of the resident Embassy of India in Quito in November 2025, underscoring the growing importance of the India-Ecuador partnership.
During the visit, Minister Sommerfeld held designation-level talks with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar. The discussions reviewed bilateral relations and covered a wide range of areas, including political exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital technology, capacity building, and cultural engagement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) was concluded, under which India will provide grant assistance of up to ₹12 crore over a period of five years for development projects in Ecuador. Both sides also discussed advancing economic engagement, including the possibility of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), and explored avenues to strengthen trade in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and critical minerals.
In the area of multilateral cooperation, Ecuador initiated the process of joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), reflecting engagement with India-supported global initiatives. Discussions were also held on cooperation in digital public infrastructure, including interest in India’s experience with digital identity systems and Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms.
In addition to the meeting with the External Affairs Minister, Ms Sommerfeld met with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Piyush Goyal to discuss trade and investment issues, and with the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr J.P. Nadda to explore cooperation in the health sector, including regulatory coordination and potential collaboration in pharmaceuticals. Discussions included the possibility of recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia and advancing a health cooperation framework.
Ms Sommerfeld paid tribute at Rajghat, visited a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS, participated in an industrial interaction and attended the inauguration of the Ecuador Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The visit comprised official discussions and engagements across multiple sectors, contributing to ongoing bilateral interaction between India and Ecuador.
