Director General of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), SP Yadav, and Andrea Zebede, Director in Charge of International Organisations and Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panama, discussed Panama’s potential membership in the IBCA, an inter-governmental organization based in India. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in BigCat and Biodiversity conservation across range countries. Capacity building, knowledge exchange, and sharing best practices for global conservation efforts were also part of the deliberations.
Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, is currently visiting India. During his visit, he met with an Indian delegation led by Shyam Jagannath, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, to explore cooperation in the maritime sector. The discussions included avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation, promoting trade and connectivity, knowledge sharing, capacity building, maritime safety and security, and the welfare of seafarers.
The Panamanian delegation, headed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, included officials like Lizbeth Hernandez Altafulla, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panama; Alejandro Mendoza, Director of Foreign Policy; Alonso Correa, Ambassador of Panama to India; and Mr. Roberto Rodriguez, Consul General of Panama in Mumbai. The Indian delegation, on the other hand, comprised officials such as Deependra Singh Bisen, Deputy Director General of Maritime Administration; Vineet Kumar, IFS, Under Secretary (UNES Division), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); and P. L. Muthu, Assistant Director General of Maritime Administration.
Both sides discussed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation and expressed their commitment to strengthening maritime ties and exploring mutual interests in promoting trade, connectivity, knowledge sharing, capacity building, maritime safety, security, and the welfare of seafarers.
