Executive Summary:
The document outlines India's efforts to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. It details recent diplomatic and economic initiatives, including high-level visits and the opening of new missions, and reaffirms the region's importance within India's South-South cooperation strategy. The document references activities and visits spanning from November 2021 to July 2025, and the 10th CII India-LAC Conclave held in March 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Strengthening Ties with LAC Region:
* India has steadily strengthened relations with LAC countries, focusing on trade, investment, agriculture, DPIs, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, and people-to-people ties.
* India opened a mission in Bolivia, while Honduras and St. Kitts & Nevis opened missions in Delhi.
* Increased political engagement has provided renewed momentum to these relationships.
Diplomatic and Economic Engagements:
* Prime Minister visited Guyana (Nov 2021, 2024), Trinidad & Tobago (Jul 2025), Argentina (Jul 2025), and Brazil (Jul 2025).
* Incoming high-level visits included the Prime Minister of Jamaica (Oct 2024), the President of Chile (Apr 2025), and the President of Paraguay (Jun 2025).
* The External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic (Apr 2023).
* The Minister of State (MoS) visited 12 LAC countries in the past year.
* The CII India-LAC Conclave serves as a platform for advancing economic cooperation, with the 10th edition held in March 2025.
Opening of Indian Missions:
* The Ministry formulates proposals for opening resident missions in countries where India lacks representation.
* The objective is to build a conducive environment for India's growth and development through partnerships and to expand India's footprint internationally.
South-South Cooperation:
* India views LAC as a key partner in South-South cooperation, focusing on mutual interests.
* Interactions emphasize concerns and priorities of the Global South.
* India acts as a First Responder in HADR and shares expertise in digital technology, offering capacity-building courses.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs):
Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the deepening of relations with LAC countries, opening new missions, and coordinating South-South cooperation efforts.
Action Required: Continue formulating and executing proposals for expanding India's diplomatic presence and strengthening economic and strategic partnerships in the LAC region.
LAC Countries:
Impact: Benefit from increased diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, and developmental assistance from India.
Action Required: Engage with India in various sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and capacity building to maximize mutual benefits.
Indian Businesses and Industries:
Impact: Gain access to new markets and opportunities for trade and investment in the LAC region.
Action Required: Participate in initiatives such as the CII India-LAC Conclave to explore potential collaborations and expand business operations.
Global South:
Impact: Benefits from India’s projection of their concerns and priorities on the global stage, fostering greater cooperation and development.
Action Required: Support and collaborate with India in advocating for the interests of developing nations within international forums.
Key Entities Referenced
Latin America and Caribbean: A region comprising countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with which India aims to strengthen ties.
CARICOM Caribbean Community: A regional organization of Caribbean nations. India engages with CARICOM for cooperation.
SICA Central American Integration System: A regional organization of Central American nations. India engages with SICA for cooperation.
CELAC Community of Latin American and Caribbean States: A regional bloc of Latin American and Caribbean states. India seeks cooperation with CELAC.
New Delhi: The location of the Embassy of Honduras in India.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations.
Guyana: A country in South America, visited by the Indian Prime Minister for the India-CARICOM Summit.
United Nations General Assembly: A main organ of the United Nations where the Hon'ble PM and Hon'ble EAM had a number of meetings with their counterparts of LAC region.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1104
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
DEEPENING RELATION OF INDIA WITH LATIN AMERICA
1104. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen ties with Latin
American countries in light of the opening of the Embassy of Honduras
in New Delhi;
(b) the details of recent or planned initiatives to deepen India’s
diplomatic and economic engagement in the said region;
(c) whether Government is planning to open more Indian embassies in
Latin American countries where India currently lacks representation, if
so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether Latin America is being considered as a focus region under
India’s broader South–South cooperation strategy, if so, the details
thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) In recent years, India has steadily strengthened its relations with all
the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. Our
relationship has progressed across several areas including trade and
investment, agriculture, DPIs (Digital Public Infrastructure),
Pharmaceuticals, capacity building, people-to-people ties, and is marked
by dynamic development partnership and strong cooperation at regional
and multilateral fora such as CARICOM (Caribbean Community), SICA
(Central American Integration System) and CELAC (Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States). During the last one year, India has
opened its Mission in Bolivia, while Honduras and St. Kitts & Nevis have
opened their Missions in Delhi. The increased political engagements
during the last one year have further provided a renewed momentum to
our relationships.
(b) The Government has taken a number of initiatives to deepen India’s
diplomatic and economic engagements in the Latin America Region.
Hon’ble Prime Minister visited Guyana to Co-Chair the 2nd India-CARICOM
Summit and bilateral visit (Nov 20-21, 2024) and also for bilateral visits
to Trinidad & Tobago (Jul 03-04, 2025), Argentina (Jul 04-05, 2025) and
2Brazil (Jul 05-08, 2025). Recent incoming high level visits include visit by
PM of Jamaica (Oct 2024), President of Chile (Apr 2025) and President of
Paraguay (Jun 2025). Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble EAM visited Guyana,
Panama, Colombia and Dominican Republic in Apr 2023. In Guyana, EAM
co-chaired the 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting and in Panama, he
participated in the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting. Also, Hon’ble
PM and Hon’ble EAM had a number of meetings with their counterparts
of LAC region on the sidelines of UNGA (United Nations General
Assembly) and other multilateral fora. Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble
MoS visited Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,
Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay in LAC region during the last one year.
The CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) India-LAC Conclave has
emerged as an important platform for advancing economic and
commercial cooperation between India and the LAC region. The 9th
edition of the conclave was held on 3-4 August 2023, followed by the 10th
edition on 19-20 March 2025, which saw participation from over 600
delegates from India and overseas.
(c) The Ministry formulates proposals from time to time for opening of
resident Missions in countries where there are no Indian Missions. The
objective of our Foreign Policy is to build a conducive environment for
3India’s growth and development through partnerships with friendly
countries. India’s Missions and Posts across the world serve as conduits
of its relations with partner countries. The decision to open new Indian
Missions is to expand India’s footprint in various regions and broaden
international support for our priorities.
(d) The Government of India views Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) as
a key partner in the framework of South-South cooperation. As part of
this effort, India has been engaging with LAC countries, with the purpose
of deepening cooperation and collaboration in all areas of mutual
interests. The visit to four countries in LAC region by Hon’ble PM in last
one year and also the visit to four countries by Hon’ble EAM in April 2023
reflects the importance given by India to this region. Hon’ble MoS (PM)
also visited 12 LAC countries during the last one year. In all our
interactions and exchanges with Latin America, focus is always on the
concerns of the Global south and its priorities and to project these on
the global stage. Our relationship with LAC countries has progressed
across several areas including political, trade and investment,
agriculture, DPIs, pharmaceuticals, science & technology, energy,
critical minerals, capacity building, people-to-people ties, and is marked
by dynamic development partnership and strong cooperation at regional
and multilateral fora such as CARICOM, SICA and CELAC. India is also
4acting as the ‘First Responder’ in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief), sharing its expertise in digital technology and offering
capacity building courses to our partner nations in LAC region.
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