As the COVID-19&nbsp;crisis is easing up, Delhi is gearing up for a number of high-level visits, especially from Latin America. Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez and&nbsp;Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard will be on an India visit in a few weeks' time. The visit comes even as both sides have been firming up relations.&nbsp;

When it comes to Colombia, energy will be a key focus area of talks.&nbsp;ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is the only Indian public sector enterprise in the south American country involved in&nbsp;both exploration and production of oil.

Both countries have been having space collaboration as well. In November 2018 ISRO launched FACSAT 1 satellite of the Colombian Air Force on PSLV-C43/HysIS mission. It was the first-ever Colombian Air Force Nano-satellite.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-share-our-good-bad-experiences-with-india-on-trade-deal-with-us-mexico-256041">Also read |&nbsp;Can share our good, bad experiences with India on trade deal with US: Mexico</a>

Colombia's Vice Prez Marta Lucía Ramírez was on India visit last year. During an exclusive interview with WION that time, Vice President Ramírez said she sees Indo Pacific as a region that has "a lot of opportunities for growth and wealth creation" even as she highlighted connect with the Pacific Alliance-- a block of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

The visit of Mexico's foreign minister&nbsp;Marcelo Ebrard&nbsp;will have a focus on consultations at the United Nations Security Council. Both India and Mexico are non-permanent members of the security council.&nbsp;Last year India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Mexico, the first such visit by an Indian foreign minister to the country in over 40 years.

With relaxation in coronavirus restrictions, Delhi is expected to see more diplomatic engagements. The new Japanese Prime Minister&nbsp;Fumio Kishida visits India over the coming weekend. Last year, the Denmark Prime Minister and Russian President had visited Delhi, the first such visit to India amid the COVID-19 crisis in many months. Delhi has been a busy capital in terms of incoming visits in pre-covid time.&nbsp;

As the COVID-19 crisis is easing up, Delhi is gearing up for a number of high-level visits, especially from Latin America. Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez and Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard will be on an India visit in a few weeks' time.

As the COVID-19 crisis is easing up, Delhi is gearing up for a number of high-level visits, especially from Latin America. Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez and Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard will be on an India visit in a few weeks' time. The visit comes even as both sides have been firming up relations. When it comes to Colombia, energy will be a key focus area of talks. ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is the only Indian public sector enterprise in the south American country involved in both exploration and production of oil. Both countries have been having space collaboration as well. In November 2018 ISRO launched FACSAT 1 satellite of the Colombian Air Force on PSLV-C43/HysIS mission. It was the first-ever Colombian Air Force Nano-satellite. Also read | Can share our good, bad experiences with India on trade deal with US: Mexico Colombia's Vice Prez Marta Lucía Ramírez was on India visit last year. During an exclusive interview with WION that time, Vice President Ramírez said she sees Indo Pacific as a region that has "a lot of opportunities for growth and wealth creation" even as she highlighted connect with the Pacific Alliance-- a block of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The visit of Mexico's foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard will have a focus on consultations at the United Nations Security Council. Both India and Mexico are non-permanent members of the security council. Last year India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Mexico, the first such visit by an Indian foreign minister to the country in over 40 years. With relaxation in coronavirus restrictions, Delhi is expected to see more diplomatic engagements. The new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits India over the coming weekend. Last year, the Denmark Prime Minister and Russian President had visited Delhi, the first such visit to India amid the COVID-19 crisis in many months. Delhi has been a busy capital in terms of incoming visits in pre-covid time.

High level visits from Colombia, Mexico to India in few weeks

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday promised a full investigation involving international experts into a metro accident that left at least 23 dead in the capital.

"A thorough investigation will be carried out ... to know the truth," Lopez Obrador said at his daily news conference.

"From that the responsibility will be established," he added.

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The left-wing populist said that the investigation was in the hands of the federal and&nbsp;Mexico City&nbsp;prosecutors.

"We cannot get into speculation, much less blame the possible perpetrators without having proof. We will have the investigation carried out soon," Lopez Obrador said.

The metro line that partially collapsed on Monday night was built while Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, a close ally of Lopez Obrador, was mayor of the capital from 2006-2012.

Ebrard told the same news conference that it was "a very sad day for everyone" and said he shared the outrage and pain over the tragedy.

"For my part, I put myself at the full disposal of the authorities," he said.

"I understand that there are many motivations of a political nature," added Ebrard, considered among the possible ruling party candidates for the 2024 presidential election.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday promised a full investigation involving international experts into a metro accident that left at least 23 dead in the capital.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday promised a full investigation involving international experts into a metro accident that left at least 23 dead in the capital. "A thorough investigation will be carried out ... to know the truth," Lopez Obrador said at his daily news conference. "From that the responsibility will be established," he added. The left-wing populist said that the investigation was in the hands of the federal and Mexico City prosecutors. "We cannot get into speculation, much less blame the possible perpetrators without having proof. We will have the investigation carried out soon," Lopez Obrador said. The metro line that partially collapsed on Monday night was built while Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, a close ally of Lopez Obrador, was mayor of the capital from 2006-2012. Ebrard told the same news conference that it was "a very sad day for everyone" and said he shared the outrage and pain over the tragedy. "For my part, I put myself at the full disposal of the authorities," he said. "I understand that there are many motivations of a political nature," added Ebrard, considered among the possible ruling party candidates for the 2024 presidential election. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vows full investigation into deadly metro crash

Bolivia's government expelled&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;and&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;diplomats on Monday, escalating a&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of&nbsp;Bolivia's former socialist president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-victim-of-coup-mexican-president-amlo-265630">Evo Morales</a>.

Bolivian caretaker President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recognises-jeanine-anez-as-bolivias-interim-president-261929">Jeanine Anez</a> said her administration had asked&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;officials&nbsp;to leave the country within 72 hours and called them "persona non grata".

Shortly after, Mexico's foreign ministry said it would recall Mercado to ensure her safety and branded&nbsp;Bolivia's move as "political in nature".

In Madrid, Spain's foreign ministry said it would expel three&nbsp;Bolivian&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;staff over the matter.

Bolivia's disputed October election sparked widespread protests and Morales resigned last month in the face of growing civil and military pressure. Anez took over by default and has made sharp policy shifts away from his socialist government, fraying ties with leftist allies in the region.

Morales, meanwhile, claimed he was toppled in a right-wing "coup" and many of his allies have rallied behind him with the country headed for new elections in 2020. He fled the country and was granted asylum in Mexico. He is now in Argentina.

Mexican&nbsp;officials&nbsp;said the government aims to&nbsp;uphold ties with&nbsp;Bolivia&nbsp;and has not declared the&nbsp;Bolivian ambassador to Mexico persona non grata.

"For now, the foreign ministry does not have the intention of breaking&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;relations with&nbsp;Bolivia," Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told reporters. She added that tension between the two nations was nevertheless undeniable.

On Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexicos-next-government-to-weigh-legalising-drugs-152482">Mexico's governmen</a>t said&nbsp;Bolivian authorities harassed and intimidated its&nbsp;diplomatic&nbsp;staff and impeded the departure of&nbsp;Spanish&nbsp;officials&nbsp;visiting its embassy in the capital where a number of Morales' allies had holed&nbsp;up.

Anez said the&nbsp;Bolivian government would not tolerate people "trying to cover&nbsp;up&nbsp;and protect criminals who have committed crimes of sedition, armed&nbsp;uprising and terrorism" and that&nbsp;Bolivia&nbsp;would not be a "colony" of any other country.

According to&nbsp;Bolivia's government, a former senior aide to Morales, Juan Ramon Quintana, is among nine people who have taken asylum in the&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;embassy.

Mexico said last Thursday that it was asking the International Court of Justice to mediate the dispute.

Mexican&nbsp;Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/migrants-will-pay-the-price-of-mexicos-tariff-deal-with-trump-226455">Marcelo Ebrard</a> said in a Tweet that Mercado had "fully represented Mexico and its cause in favor of asylum and peace". Mercado wrote in a post in response she was proud to&nbsp;uphold Mexico's "principles and tradition of asylum."

Bolivia's government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia's former socialist president Evo Morales.

Bolivia's government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico's embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia's former socialist president Evo Morales. Bolivian caretaker President Jeanine Anez said her administration had asked Mexican ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several Spanish officials to leave the country within 72 hours and called them "persona non grata". Shortly after, Mexico's foreign ministry said it would recall Mercado to ensure her safety and branded Bolivia's move as "political in nature". In Madrid, Spain's foreign ministry said it would expel three Bolivian diplomatic staff over the matter. Bolivia's disputed October election sparked widespread protests and Morales resigned last month in the face of growing civil and military pressure. Anez took over by default and has made sharp policy shifts away from his socialist government, fraying ties with leftist allies in the region. Morales, meanwhile, claimed he was toppled in a right-wing "coup" and many of his allies have rallied behind him with the country headed for new elections in 2020. He fled the country and was granted asylum in Mexico. He is now in Argentina. Mexican officials said the government aims to uphold ties with Bolivia and has not declared the Bolivian ambassador to Mexico persona non grata. "For now, the foreign ministry does not have the intention of breaking diplomatic relations with Bolivia," Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told reporters. She added that tension between the two nations was nevertheless undeniable. On Friday, Mexico's government said Bolivian authorities harassed and intimidated its diplomatic staff and impeded the departure of Spanish officials visiting its embassy in the capital where a number of Morales' allies had holed up. Anez said the Bolivian government would not tolerate people "trying to cover up and protect criminals who have committed crimes of sedition, armed uprising and terrorism" and that Bolivia would not be a "colony" of any other country. According to Bolivia's government, a former senior aide to Morales, Juan Ramon Quintana, is among nine people who have taken asylum in the Mexican embassy. Mexico said last Thursday that it was asking the International Court of Justice to mediate the dispute. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in a Tweet that Mercado had "fully represented Mexico and its cause in favor of asylum and peace". Mercado wrote in a post in response she was proud to uphold Mexico's "principles and tradition of asylum."

Bolivia expels Mexican, Spanish officials as diplomatic standoff heats up

A scheme to create 20,000 jobs in Honduras has been agreed between the country's president and Mexico's leader in an attempt to stem the flow of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-and-mexican-counterpart-welcome-reduced-flow-of-migrants-237547">migrants toward the United States</a>.

Mexico, which is a stepping stone to the US for many from Central America seeking to escape violence and poverty, has seen a wave of migrants sweep through in the past few months, causing tensions with Washington.

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador met his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez in the Mexican state of Veracruz on Saturday to sign an agreement to extend a development program to Honduras, which includes a tree-planting scheme already active in Mexico.

Called "Sowing Life", the scheme pays farmers a small monthly stipend to plant trees and crops. Mexico signed a deal with El Salvador last month to introduce the same project to the Central American state.

Hernandez said the scheme was the "correct path" to boost both country's economies and called for the creation of a "great international coalition for generating huge numbers of jobs" in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Mexico will support Honduras "to create 20,000 jobs between now and December," said Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.

US President Donald Trump had threatened stiff new trade tariffs against the United States' southern neighbour unless it acted decisively to stem the migrant wave. But tensions calmed after Mexico's deployment of thousands of security forces to its borders last month.

The large majority of Central Americans who cross Mexico for the US are from Honduras. Some say they are fleeing persecution by the Hernandez government, having participated in protests after his election.

A scheme to create 20,000 jobs in Honduras has been agreed between the country's president and Mexico's leader in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants toward the United States.

A scheme to create 20,000 jobs in Honduras has been agreed between the country's president and Mexico's leader in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants toward the United States. Mexico, which is a stepping stone to the US for many from Central America seeking to escape violence and poverty, has seen a wave of migrants sweep through in the past few months, causing tensions with Washington. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador met his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez in the Mexican state of Veracruz on Saturday to sign an agreement to extend a development program to Honduras, which includes a tree-planting scheme already active in Mexico. Called "Sowing Life", the scheme pays farmers a small monthly stipend to plant trees and crops. Mexico signed a deal with El Salvador last month to introduce the same project to the Central American state. Hernandez said the scheme was the "correct path" to boost both country's economies and called for the creation of a "great international coalition for generating huge numbers of jobs" in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Mexico will support Honduras "to create 20,000 jobs between now and December," said Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard. US President Donald Trump had threatened stiff new trade tariffs against the United States' southern neighbour unless it acted decisively to stem the migrant wave. But tensions calmed after Mexico's deployment of thousands of security forces to its borders last month. The large majority of Central Americans who cross Mexico for the US are from Honduras. Some say they are fleeing persecution by the Hernandez government, having participated in protests after his election.

Mexico, Honduras agree to create 20,000 jobs and stem migration

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday thanked his Mexican counterpart for increased immigration enforcement by the country, which he said is leading to fewer migrants entering the United States.

The meeting confirmed a considerably calmer tone in US-Mexican relations than in early June when President Donald Trump had threatened stiff new trade tariffs against the United States' southern neighbour unless it acted forcefully to slow the migrant flow.&nbsp;

Pompeo met Sunday in Mexico City with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on a regional trip that began in Argentina and Ecuador and later took him to El Salvador.

"Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Ebrard for Mexico's increased immigration enforcement efforts," the State Department said.

Speaking in El Salvador, Pompeo said that Mexico has "made real progress" on migration.

"The numbers are good... There are fewer apprehensions taking place today along our southern border, but we've got a long way to go yet -- there's still much more work to do," he told a news conference in San Salvador.

The meeting between Ebrard and Pompeo, while focused primarily on migration, also included talks on recovering the wealth of notorious drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- sentenced to life imprisonment in the US -- as well as the status of the not-yet-ratified North American trade agreement, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said.&nbsp;

The Mexican statement said Pompeo had recognised "significant advances" by Mexico on slowing migration since a high-stakes June 7 meeting in Washington held amid a growing migration crisis.

Drug fortune

That accord -- reached under the shadow of Trump's trade threats -- stipulated that failure by Mexico to rein in cross-border migration within 45 days could result in the need to negotiate a tougher arrangement.

But the Mexican statement said that "in light of these advances," Ebrard "does not consider it necessary to initiate" such negotiations.

At the meeting Sunday, Ebrard said Mexico's strategy to "ensure orderly, safe and regular migrant flows will continue for the next 45 days," the statement said.&nbsp;

The Mexican government in June deployed thousands of soldiers and police officers, both near the southern border with Guatemala and the US border in the north, to slow the migrant flow, which has come principally from impoverished and crime-ridden Central American countries.

Official Mexican figures say the number of migrants coming into Mexico from those countries fell from 144,000 in May to 100,000 in June.

Pompeo and Ebrard also discussed the fortune amassed by drug kingpin Guzman.&nbsp;

The US judge who sentenced him to life in prison last week ordered Guzman to forfeit $12.6 billion, but Mexico wants the money to stay in that country.

The two diplomats discussed creating a binational group to study the matter.&nbsp;

Pompeo then travelled to El Salvador and met with President Nayib Bukele.

"We support his plans to stimulate economic growth and reduce illegal migration and believe his vision to build a strong, self-reliant #ElSalvador will lead to a bright future," Pompeo tweeted.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday thanked his Mexican counterpart for increased immigration enforcement by the country, which he said is leading to fewer migrants entering the United States.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday thanked his Mexican counterpart for increased immigration enforcement by the country, which he said is leading to fewer migrants entering the United States. The meeting confirmed a considerably calmer tone in US-Mexican relations than in early June when President Donald Trump had threatened stiff new trade tariffs against the United States' southern neighbour unless it acted forcefully to slow the migrant flow. Pompeo met Sunday in Mexico City with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on a regional trip that began in Argentina and Ecuador and later took him to El Salvador. "Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Ebrard for Mexico's increased immigration enforcement efforts," the State Department said. Speaking in El Salvador, Pompeo said that Mexico has "made real progress" on migration. "The numbers are good... There are fewer apprehensions taking place today along our southern border, but we've got a long way to go yet -- there's still much more work to do," he told a news conference in San Salvador. The meeting between Ebrard and Pompeo, while focused primarily on migration, also included talks on recovering the wealth of notorious drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman -- sentenced to life imprisonment in the US -- as well as the status of the not-yet-ratified North American trade agreement, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said. The Mexican statement said Pompeo had recognised "significant advances" by Mexico on slowing migration since a high-stakes June 7 meeting in Washington held amid a growing migration crisis. Drug fortune That accord -- reached under the shadow of Trump's trade threats -- stipulated that failure by Mexico to rein in cross-border migration within 45 days could result in the need to negotiate a tougher arrangement. But the Mexican statement said that "in light of these advances," Ebrard "does not consider it necessary to initiate" such negotiations. At the meeting Sunday, Ebrard said Mexico's strategy to "ensure orderly, safe and regular migrant flows will continue for the next 45 days," the statement said. The Mexican government in June deployed thousands of soldiers and police officers, both near the southern border with Guatemala and the US border in the north, to slow the migrant flow, which has come principally from impoverished and crime-ridden Central American countries. Official Mexican figures say the number of migrants coming into Mexico from those countries fell from 144,000 in May to 100,000 in June. Pompeo and Ebrard also discussed the fortune amassed by drug kingpin Guzman. The US judge who sentenced him to life in prison last week ordered Guzman to forfeit $12.6 billion, but Mexico wants the money to stay in that country. The two diplomats discussed creating a binational group to study the matter. Pompeo then travelled to El Salvador and met with President Nayib Bukele. "We support his plans to stimulate economic growth and reduce illegal migration and believe his vision to build a strong, self-reliant #ElSalvador will lead to a bright future," Pompeo tweeted.

Pompeo and Mexican counterpart welcome reduced flow of migrants

Mexico said Monday it will discuss a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-holds-off-trumps-fire-but-seen-vulnerable-to-new-pressure-225987">"safe third country" agreement with the United States </a>-- in which migrants entering Mexican territory must apply for asylum there rather than the US -- if the flow of undocumented immigrants continues.

Amid speculation about the contents of Mexico's deal to curb migration in order to avert President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he had rebuffed the US demand for such a measure, but agreed to revisit the matter in 45 days.

"In the meeting with the vice president of the United States, they were insistent on the safe third country issue," Ebrard told a press conference, three days after reaching a last minute deal to avoid punitive tariffs over the surge of Central American migrants arriving at the US-Mexican border.

"We told them -- I think it was the most important achievement of the negotiations -- 'let's set a time period to see if what Mexico is proposing will work, and if not, we'll sit down and see what additional measures'" are needed, he said.

Ebrard, who led the Mexican negotiating team in marathon talks in Washington, spoke as Trump renewed his tariff threat over a secret provision in the deal.

Trump tweeted that part of the deal would require approval by the Mexican Congress -- he did not give details -- and that "if for any reason the approval is not forthcoming, Tariffs will be reinstated!"

The comment came as he fended off criticism over a New York Times report that said the key terms of the migration deal had in fact been agreed on months ago.

Speaking later on CNBC, Trump said the secret provision was "a very powerful tool."

"I'm going to tell you that most people understand -- that the people having to do with borders and illegal immigration and immigration of any kind -- they understand exactly what that is," he said.

"But we purposely said we wouldn't mention it for a little while ... It has to be brought by their legislative body, it's got to be taken to a vote. So we didn't bring it up, but most people know that answer."

Mexico said Monday it will discuss a "safe third country" agreement with the United States -- in which migrants entering Mexican territory must apply for asylum there rather than the US -- if the flow of undocumented immigrants continues.

Mexico said Monday it will discuss a "safe third country" agreement with the United States -- in which migrants entering Mexican territory must apply for asylum there rather than the US -- if the flow of undocumented immigrants continues. Amid speculation about the contents of Mexico's deal to curb migration in order to avert President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he had rebuffed the US demand for such a measure, but agreed to revisit the matter in 45 days. "In the meeting with the vice president of the United States, they were insistent on the safe third country issue," Ebrard told a press conference, three days after reaching a last minute deal to avoid punitive tariffs over the surge of Central American migrants arriving at the US-Mexican border. "We told them -- I think it was the most important achievement of the negotiations -- 'let's set a time period to see if what Mexico is proposing will work, and if not, we'll sit down and see what additional measures'" are needed, he said. Ebrard, who led the Mexican negotiating team in marathon talks in Washington, spoke as Trump renewed his tariff threat over a secret provision in the deal. Trump tweeted that part of the deal would require approval by the Mexican Congress -- he did not give details -- and that "if for any reason the approval is not forthcoming, Tariffs will be reinstated!" The comment came as he fended off criticism over a New York Times report that said the key terms of the migration deal had in fact been agreed on months ago. Speaking later on CNBC, Trump said the secret provision was "a very powerful tool." "I'm going to tell you that most people understand -- that the people having to do with borders and illegal immigration and immigration of any kind -- they understand exactly what that is," he said. "But we purposely said we wouldn't mention it for a little while ... It has to be brought by their legislative body, it's got to be taken to a vote. So we didn't bring it up, but most people know that answer."

Mexico to discuss 'safe third country' deal with US if migration does not slow

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