S Jaishankar unveils Gandhi's bust in Paraguay

Tags: International Relations International News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his first ever official visit to South America, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay on 21 August.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• He appreciated the decision of Asuncion Municipality to establish it on the main waterfront of the city.

• The External Affairs Minister also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia from where Paraguay's independence movement began more than two centuries ago.

• External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar is on an official visit to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina from 22-27 August.

• In Paraguay, S Jaishankar will also inaugurate the new Indian Embassy complex, which started functioning in January 2022.

• EAM's visit is aimed at exploring new areas of cooperation in the post-pandemic era.

About Paraguay :

• It is a land-locked country in south-central South America.

• It is one of the world’s largest exporters of hydropower.

• The rivers provide access to the Atlantic Ocean and serve as sites for hydroelectric power plants.

• Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR.

• The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) is a regional integration process, initially established by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and later joined by Venezuela and Bolivia.

• India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR.

• Diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay were established in year 1961.

• President - Mario Abdo Benitez

• Capital - Asuncion

• Currency - The guarani