Visit of Dr Shashi Tharoor , Minister of State for External Affairs to the Dominican Republic, 23-25 January 2010.
Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited the Dominican Republic on an official visit at the invitation of its President, H.E. Dr Leonel Fernandez Reyna, during 23-25 January 2010. During the visit, wide-ranging talks were held by Dr Tharoor with both President Fernandez and H.E Mr Carlos Morales, Foreign Minister. Both sides discussed the situation in the regiom, and in particular in Haiti, in great detail and President Fernandez conveyed his pleasure at Dr Tharoor visiting Haiti to get an on the spot assessment of the situation on the ground, in the midst of his official visit to the Dominican Republic. During the discussion President Fernandez spelt out the major role being played by his country in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Haiti and he took the opportunity to invite India to participate in the Haiti Reconstruction Conference to be held in Santo Domingo in April 2010.
Dr Tharoor applauded the role being played by Dominican Republic in bring succour to the people of Haiti. During the discussion, both sides expressed satisfaction at the growing ties between the countries which has seen the Dominican Republic opening its Embassy in New Delhi in 2006. President Fernandez reiterated his request for India to open its diplomatic mission in Santo Domingo. Dr Tharoor conveyed that a decision in principle had been taken to send the proposal for opening an Embassy in Santo Domingo at the earliest to the Indian Cabinet.
Dr Tharoor also held talks with H. E Mr Eddy Martinez Manzueta, Foreign Trade Minister, and visited along with him the CyberPark being developed in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Foreign Trade Minister invited Indian IT companies to participate in the IT Park and cited the example of one Indian company which had already started operations from the IT Park. The Dominican side conveyed that their country could become a hub for Indian exports to Central America and the US as they had free trade agreements with both parties. During the visit, Mr Martinez and Dr Tharoor signed an MoU to set up an IT Center of Excellence in Dominican Republic with Indian assistance. Dr Tharoor also addressed the India- Dominican Republic Business Chamber on ways and means augment the India-Dominican Republic engagement.
He also met with captains of industry and commerce of Dominican Republic and urged them to enter into business and investment relationships with India. In his discussions with the Foreign Trade Minister and businesspersons Dr Tharoor invited them to participate in the forthcoming India-LAC Business Summit (30-31 March 2010) and India–LAC Business Conclave (29 -30 April 2010) being organized by FICCI and CII respectively. The Dominican side responded positively to the suggestion and to his request that their delegation be led at the ministerial level. During the visit Dr Tharoor delivered a well-attended talk at the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE, Spanish abbreviation) on India’s recent transformation. FUNGLODE is a think tank established by the President of Dominican Republic to foster studies and research on international relations.