H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Alines Burillo Rivera, Ambassador of Panama to India

Diplomatist: As the Ambassador of Panama to India, please share your impressions of working in India.

H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Alines Burillo Rivera: I am very honoured to work in India as Ambassador at this moment. India is passing great momentum not only because it has experienced in the last 9 years a revolution in many different areas, but because all these changes have turned India into the 5th largest economy, having a great voice in the world. Adding to this, I am also able to admire, as a witness, India's efforts, and commitment to host the G20.

Diplomatist: How do you see the recent development of Panama and India relations?

H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Alines Burillo Rivera: There have been many opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and cooperation that have opened up in recent years. We have around 7 new agreements in process, and the bilateral relations have strengthened, thanks to the growing interest of India in Latin America. Only this year 2023, we have had two high-ranked visits. The first was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, H.E. Janaina Tewaney, who visited India in January; and the following visit, to Panama, made by H.E Dr. S. Jaishankar in April. We have a common agenda in many different areas and goals to be accomplished.

Diplomatist: Could you please talk about products which are exported from Panama to India?

H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Alines Burillo Rivera: We have experienced in the last year an increase in exporting copper to India which has led to a positive commercial balance. Other products are wood, especially teak, leather and scrap from aluminium & iron.