BUCHAREST (TIP): The Embassy of India successfully organized a Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting on Information Technology & Communications (IT&C) with Romanian companies to explore avenues for collaboration and partnership in the IT sector. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Romanian IT industry and served as an important platform for strengthening India-Romania cooperation in the technology domain.
Two eminent industry leaders from India participated as lead speakers: Mr. Sandeep Narula, Chairman (Global Outreach), and Mr. Gurmeet Singh, Director & CEO of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC India). Their presence added significant value to the discussions and provided industry-driven insights into India’s rapidly growing IT ecosystem.
Presentation shown during the B2B.
The B2B meeting was held in a physical format, with more than 30 potential Romanian IT companies participating actively and demonstrating strong interest in exploring partnerships with Indian counterparts. The session commenced with special remarks by the Ambassador of India to Romania, Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, who highlighted the robust growth of India’s IT sector and its emergence as a global technology and innovation hub. The Ambassador also expressed his appreciation to the special guests who travelled from India to participate in the B2B meeting and formally honored them for their contributions.
Addressing the participants, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra emphasized India’s strengths in IT services, software development, digital innovation, and skilled human resources. He expressed confidence that Romanian companies would explore concrete trade and investment opportunities with Indian firms. The Ambassador reiterated India’s position as a reliable global partner in the IT sector and encouraged Romanian companies to consider sourcing, collaboration, and joint ventures with Indian IT enterprises. Indian companies, in turn, invited Romanian firms to visit India to gain firsthand exposure to their IT infrastructure and facilities. Impressed by the presentations and discussions, several Romanian companies expressed keen interest in visiting India.
Questions were answered by the lead speakers of the event.
During the session, Mr. Sandeep Narula briefed participants on the rapid expansion of India’s IT industry, driven by key Government of India initiatives and digital transformation projects that are positioning the country at the forefront of global technology development. He delivered a detailed presentation on the achievements and role of ESC India in promoting electronics and software exports with strong government support. He also addressed numerous questions raised by Romanian IT companies and extended a formal invitation to the Romanian IT industry to participate in India Soft 2026, a major international technology exhibition scheduled for March 23-25 in New Delhi, to experience Indian IT capabilities firsthand and forge concrete partnerships.
Mr. Gurmeet Singh highlighted the sustained growth trajectory of India’s IT sector and its potential to emerge as one of the leading global IT hubs in the years to come. He emphasized the opportunities available for international collaboration and underlined ESC India’s commitment to facilitating partnerships between Indian and Romanian companies.
One of the enthusiastic participants from ANIS Romania (@ANIS_RO), Mr. Edward Creescu, President, addressed the gathering and shared data-driven insights highlighting the robust and rapidly expanding Romanian IT sector. He expressed strong interest in visiting India to gain firsthand exposure to India’s dynamic IT ecosystem and conveyed his keen willingness to participate in India Soft 2026 (March 23-25, New Delhi), further strengthening avenues for India-Romania collaboration in the technology sector.
A group photo taken during the event.
The Embassy of India reaffirmed its continued commitment to strengthening economic and commercial ties between India and Romania, particularly in priority sectors such as information technology and communications. The Embassy assured participants of its full support in facilitating future engagements, exchanges, and business collaborations between stakeholders from both countries.
The event concluded with productive and forward-looking discussions, reflecting strong mutual interest and laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation in the IT & Communications sector between India and Romania.
(Based on a Press Release issued by the Embassy of India in Bucharest, Romania)
SAN PEDROCARCHA (TIP): In a landmark moment for India-Guatemala relations and the global Yoga movement, the Embassy of India in Guatemala, on behalf of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), in collaboration with the Municipality of San Pedro Carchá, the Association of Don Bosco Center, and with the strong support of the Governor of Alta Verapaz, Ms. Dilia Margarita Co Coy, hosted the largest International Day of Yoga celebration in the region, perhaps ever held outside India, on 13 June 2025 in San Pedro Carcha, Coban, Guatemala. This mega event drew an unprecedented gathering of over 10,000 yoga enthusiasts, making it a day of pride for Guatemala and a historic milestone in the global promotion of Yoga. To build momentum ahead of June 13, the Embassy had also organized two separate & well-received Yoga sessions in Izabal (550 participants) and the Municipality of Chalal (1,500 participants) on 11th June, 2025, demonstrating Yoga’s growing reach in Guatemala’s interior regions.
Harmony in Motion: Ms. Ruth Morales, Embassy Yoga teacher, leads a powerful Yoga session with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, with 10,000 participants. (Photo: Courtesy Baldev Singh Grewal)
The celebration witnessed the full support and partnership of key local institutions, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defense, Municipality of San Pedro Carcha, Associations of Don Bosco Center, Talita Kumu and numerous Indian companies like, HCL Tech, TCS, Grupo Uma, Caplin Point, 24X7 a.i., Lukham Pharma, Krishper Healthcare S.A., Strikar Pharma, Grupo Karims, Lakshmi Capital, Pradilsha, Khushi Enterprizes, Grupo Uma and Sierra Textiles operating in Guatemala. Their involvement was instrumental in ensuring the success of the event, from mobilization to logistics and outreach. Notably, the youth were at the heart of the celebration, with over 10,000 students from educational institutions across the region forming the core of the audience—testament to Yoga’s growing appeal among Guatemala’s next generation.
This achievement was not a one-off event but the result of sustained efforts over the past four years by the Embassy of India to promote Yoga across Guatemala. Starting with 2,500 participants in 2022 at Mariscal Zavala, the numbers steadily grew to 3,500 in 2023 and reached 5,000 in 2024. With more than 10,000 participants this year in San Pedro Carcha, Guatemala has now entered the elite global league of countries championing Yoga with unmatched enthusiasm and commitment. These celebrations have helped bring Yoga to the remotest corners of the country, particularly through youth-focused outreach programs, free workshops, and community-based events.
The grand event began with a one-minute silence in memory of the 274 lives lost in the tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad, India on 12 June 2025. The dignitaries present, including local Guatemalan leaders, expressed their heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of India.
Don Bosco Center Music Band Symphony Orchestra- Music School-Art and Culture, Carcha playing the national anthem of India (Photo: Jay Mandal-on assignment)
The solemn atmosphere was followed by a moving performance of the national anthems of Guatemala, India, and the Municipality of San Pedro Carchá, performed by Don Bosco Center Music Band Symphony Orchestra- Music School-Art and Culture, Carcha.
The event was officially opened by Mr. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquin, Mayor of San Pedro Carchá, who warmly welcomed the gathering. Remarks were delivered by Governor of Alta Verapaz, Ms. Dilia Margarita Co Coy, representatives of the Don Bosco Association and Ambassador of India to Guatemala Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, who emphasized the significance of Yoga as a universal tool for peace and wellbeing. The Ambassador also ceremoniously presented three busts of Mahatma Gandhi to Don Bosco institutions, symbolizing India’s enduring message of peace and nonviolence. In recognition of outstanding contributions, commemorative plaques were presented to key sponsors, municipal leaders, and Indian companies who helped make the event a reality.
Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra delivers his remarks, thanking all stakeholders , and highlighting Guatemala’s emergence as a global beacon of Yoga. (Photo: Courtesy Embassy of India in Guatemala)
In his heartfelt address at the International Day of Yoga (IDY2025) celebration in San Pedro Carchá on June 13, 2025, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra expressed profound gratitude to all stakeholders, including ICCR, for their pivotal role in making the event the largest yoga gathering outside India, with more than 10,000 participants. He extended special thanks to the Municipality of San Pedro Carchá, led by Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín, for their unwavering commitment and logistical support, which ensured the event’s monumental success. He also lauded the Association of Don Bosco for their enthusiastic partnership, noting their dedication to youth engagement, which saw a significant turnout of young participants. Ambassador Mohapatra commended the Ministry of Defense for their exceptional efforts in mobilizing such a massive crowd, ensuring safety and coordination, and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of local vendors who provided seamless transport, nutritious food, and essential logistics, including t-shirts for participants, fostering an inclusive and festive atmosphere.
On the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra honored Governor of Alta Verapaz, Ms. Dilia Margarita Co Coy, San Pedro Carchá Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín, and Father Antonio de Groot, General Director of the Don Bosco Center Association for their unwavering commitment and logistical support, which ensured the event’s monumental success. A few others, including sponsors received the Ambassador’s appreciation and gratitude.
The Indian Panorama Publisher and Editor presents a replica of the Golden Temple to Ambassador Manoj Kumar Mohapatra. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Ms. Carcha, Baby Carcha, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Governor of Alta Verapaz, Ms. Dilia Margarita Co Coy, San Pedro Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, and Baldev Singh Grewal (Photo: Jay Mandal-on assignment)
Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Publisher and Editor of The Indian Panorama, a premier Digital weekly newspaper published from New York who participated in the Yoga session, honored Ambassador Manoj Kumar Mohapatra for successfully organizing the historic Yoga session, with the replica of the Golden Temple, the most venerable shrine of the Sikhs who number around 30 million and are all over the world.
Mr. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquin, Mayor of San Pedro Carchá expresses his gratitude for being made a part of the historic celebration, and pledges continued support for promoting Yoga in the community. (Photo: Courtesy Embassy of India in Guatemala)
Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín expressed his gratitude to the Embassy and ICCR for the opportunity to be part of this historic occasion. He stated that the Municipality was honored to support such a meaningful initiative and pledged to continue promoting Yoga as a part of community life in the future. Sponsors and representatives from Indian companies expressed pride in supporting a movement that fosters wellness, inclusivity, and stronger India-Guatemala bonds. Their contributions—ranging from T-shirts, water bottles, yoga mats, and refreshments—played a key role in making the event accessible to all.
The yoga session, led by Embassy Yoga teacher Ms. Ruth Morales, followed the Common Yoga Protocol, embodying the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” Participants—from students and teachers to military personnel and civilians—enthusiastically joined in, turning the Juan Ramón Ponce Guay Stadium into a sea of synchronized movement and mindfulness. Ms. Morales guided the participants through a series of asanas, pranayama, and meditation, tailored to promote physical vitality, mental clarity, and ecological awareness, resonating with the theme’s call for holistic well-being. The stadium, bathed in the morning light, became a sea of synchronized movement, with participants from all walks of life, particularly youth, embracing yoga’s universal appeal.
Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín invited the participants in the Yoga to a dance which he himself led. Prof. Indrajit S Saluja joined the Mayor. (Photo: Jay Mandal-on assignment)
The immense enthusiasm of the participants was visible from the way they followed the Yoga instructors’ commands. The same vigor was noticeable when Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín invited them to a dance which he himself led. Young boys and girls were seen dancing enthusiastically in celebration of the event.
Folk dancers pictured with Ambassador Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and San Pedro Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín (Photo: Jay Mandal-on assignment)
The folk dancers who were, earlier in the morning outside the stadium, came in and gave an electrifying dance performance, much to the joy of everyone present. All participants were given refreshment bags while they were on way back home.
Mayor Lic. Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín hosted a lunch for the embassy staff and their guests which included me and my friends -Baldev Singh Grewal, a senior journalist and a novelist from New York, and the ace photographer from New York , Jay Mandal
The Embassy is now scheduled to host IDY 2025 events in San Salvador and Tegucigalpa on 21 June, in partnership with local governments and sponsors. These events are expected to further reinforce India’s message of global well-being through Yoga. India has undoubtedly left a remarkable impression in Guatemala, not just through diplomacy, but through the soft power of Yoga—uniting people in health, peace, and purpose.
(With inputs from a Press Release issued by Ramesh Khulbey at the Embassy of India in Guatemala)
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
