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?
ANSWER
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 Brazil (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 India’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 acting 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.