Ecuador to buy seven HAL Advanced Light Helicopters

This joint press communique records the outcomes of the official visit of Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs to India in November 2008, where both nations agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, and energy, and to negotiate new agreements on investment protection and taxation.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves the Government of India and the Republic of Ecuador. It specifically concerns the Ministries of External Affairs, the defence sector (including HAL India), the agricultural sector, the energy and hydrocarbons sector, the information technology sector, and the education sector (specifically regarding training for Ecuadorian students).

What was agreed

• Agreement to negotiate an Agreement on Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion.
• Agreement to negotiate an Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation.
• Ecuador to open a Commercial Section in its Embassy in Delhi.
• Ecuador to allow visa-free entry for Indian nationals for stays up to 90 days for business and tourism.
• Implementation of visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.
• India to provide short-term training for Ecuadorian students under the Indian Technical Economic Programme.
• India to set up an Information Technology Centre in Ecuador, with the implementing agreement to be finalized at an early date.
• Signing of an MoU on Agricultural Research and Education.
• Signing of a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2009-11.
• Ecuador to purchase seven Advanced Light Helicopters from HAL India.
• Ecuador to appoint a Defence Attache in New Delhi.
• Agreement to actively pursue finalization of an MoU on Defence Cooperation.
• Proposed visit of the Ecuadorian Defence Minister to India in February 2009.
• Agreement to promote cooperation in Hydrocarbons and Energy, including Non-Conventional Energy, through exchange of experts and finalization of agreements in hydrocarbons and mining.
• Ecuador to support India's claim for permanent membership on an expanded UN Security Council.
• Ecuador to support the India Specific Safeguards Agreement in the IAEA.
• Desire for the President of Ecuador to undertake a State visit to India in 2009.

Also in the document

• Ecuador decided to purchase seven Advanced Light Helicopters from HAL India.
• India offered to set up an Information Technology Centre in Ecuador.
• Both sides agreed to finalize agreements in hydrocarbons and mining to expedite operations by public and private sector entities.
• Ecuador allowed visa-free entry for Indian nationals for up to 90 days for business and tourism.