Diplomatic Talks Focus on Scholarships and Capacity Building

India’s Chargé d’Affaires Akash Sharma arrived in Costa Rica on August 26 for a series of high‑level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. While environmental sustainability remained a key theme, a significant portion of the dialogue was devoted to education and capacity‑building.

In a meeting with Carolina Fernandez Alvarez, head of the scholarship division at the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry, Sharma reviewed the outcomes of Indian scholarship schemes that have enabled Costa Rican students to pursue advanced studies in India. Both sides explored mechanisms to increase visibility of these programmes and to streamline application processes.

The agenda also included a conversation with Gabriela Mora Arce of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, where the two officials exchanged views on joint climate action projects and the potential for collaborative research on renewable energy sources.

Later, Sharma met Ambassador Sergio Vinocor Fornieri, director of international cooperation, to assess the overall state of India‑Costa Rica relations. The pair identified new avenues for partnership, ranging from sustainable agriculture to digital innovation, and pledged to deepen engagement across these sectors.

Since the inaugural high‑level visit in 2019, the two nations have expanded cooperation in trade, science, culture and multilateral diplomacy, laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous partnership.