Panama's Foreign Minister begins India and Philippines tour to boost trade and diplomacy

Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, has embarked on an official tour of India and the Philippines aimed at bolstering the nation's geopolitical and commercial standing in Asia. The visit seeks to foster new investment and cooperation opportunities.

The tour commenced in New Delhi, where the minister is focused on deepening bilateral relations with India under the theme "Two democracies, two oceans, one destiny." A key objective is to position Panama as a gateway for Indian investment and innovation into the Americas. A scheduled meeting with India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, will include a renewed request for India to join the Permanent Neutrality Treaty of the Panama Canal, a mechanism ensuring the free and secure transit through the waterway.

During his stay in India, Martínez-Acha will also engage in technical cooperation discussions at the Indian Institute of Technology and meet with representatives from the International Solar Alliance (ISA). These discussions will cover renewable energy and sustainable development topics. Following his engagements in India, the foreign minister will travel to Manila, Philippines.

In Manila, Martínez-Acha will represent Panama at the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers of Foreign Affairs and related sessions. During this event, Panama aims to highlight its competitive advantages as a logistics and digital platform, seeking to enhance economic ties with Southeast Asia's emerging economies.