Naidu meets Panamanian President, discusses bilateral ties

PANAMA CITY, May 10:
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has underlined Panama’s strategic significance to India as he met Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodrigues and discussed bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, health, culture and education.
During their talks yesterday, he also sought Panama’s support for India’s candidature to the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2019-2021 and also called for greater exchange of high-level visits between the two nations to deepen bilateral relations in various areas of mutual interest.
Panamanian Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado also accompanied them during their talks.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of an MoU between India and Panama on exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports. They also witnessed signing of MoU in the field of agriculture.
Naidu also visited the Panama Canal. Breaking protocol, President Rodriguez accompanied him to the famous canal.
This was an unscheduled engagement of the Panamanian President that surprised the diplomats of both the countries, a statement said.  (PTI)