This article covers training and education cooperation between India and Ecuador, cultural exchanges, recent cultural events and the Indian community in Ecuador. It is based on the MEA brief of July 2026 on India-Ecuador relations.

ITEC and other training

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, 223 Ecuadorian professionals were trained in the last 5 years till 2025-26, against the 530 ITEC slots allocated.

A special course on "Science Technology and Innovation Policy" for 25 Ecuadorian universities Rectors was organised at the Indian Institute of Science in February-March 2020.

Centre of Excellence in Information Technology

An MoU to establish a Center of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) was signed in Quito in August 2009 with the Institute of High National Studies (Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales; IAEN).

The CEIT was established in the North Technical University [Universidad de Norte (UTN)] in the city of Ibarra and became operational in May 2015. Three C-DAC experts sent from India trained 816 Ecuadorean nationals.

Cultural exchanges

The brief states that Indian culture, yoga and Ayurveda are becoming popular in Ecuador, and that several schools and institutes impart training in yoga and Indian culture.

India and Ecuador signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement in 2006. In 2008, a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2009-2011 was signed during the visit to India of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of Ecuador, Mrs. Maria Isabel Salvador Crespo.

There are two busts of Mahatma Gandhi in Ecuador: one at La Carolina Park in Quito and the other at the Malecon Area in Guayaquil, for which the brief gives the date 20 March 2018. A bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was installed at the University of Cuenca in 2019.

Recent cultural events

Ecuador took part in the Biennial of Bihar Museum 2025 and set up a pavilion in Bihar Museum, Patna, during the Biennial event in November 2025. An Ecuadorian archaeologist, Dr. Francisco Valdez, came from Ecuador to take part.

Since the opening of India's resident Mission in Ecuador in November 2025, the brief records these events:

  • celebrations of the inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, on 10 December 2025 in Quito and 11 December 2025 in Guayaquil
  • World Hindi Day celebrations in Cuenca on 9 January 2026 at UNAE
  • the observance of the 77th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on 9 April 2026

The Mission organised the 12th International Day of Yoga celebration on 21 June at the monument 'Mitad El Mundo' at the Equator in Quito. According to the brief, participants were able to perform Yoga in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres simultaneously.

The Indian community

The brief describes Ecuador as having a growing Indian community numbering around 350 (PIOs - 50; NRIs - 300), living mainly in Quito and Guayaquil. Most community members work in the services sector, and in Quito TCS employs a sizable number of Indians. Some Indian nationals are engaged in the teak wood business.

Indian companies take part in commercial events organised by the Embassy, local organisations and chambers of commerce. Indian restaurants have been established in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, and the Indian community celebrates some cultural festivals.