India has expanded its diplomatic and economic engagement with Latin America through a series of official visits aimed at strengthening partnerships in trade, technology, culture, and development cooperation. Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita concluded a visit to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Cuba from November 4 to 10, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to South–South cooperation and broader outreach to the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.
In Ecuador, Margherita inaugurated the Indian Embassy in Quito, marking a new phase in India–Ecuador relations and reflecting India’s intent to enhance its presence in the region. During meetings with President Daniel Noboa Azin and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, both sides discussed opportunities for collaboration in trade, agriculture, technology, and digital innovation. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between diplomatic training institutes to strengthen capacity building under India’s ITEC programme, including in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital governance.
In Bolivia, Margherita represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of President Rodrigo Paz, reaffirming India’s support for Bolivia’s development goals. He also inaugurated the new premises of the Indian Embassy in La Paz, underscoring India’s growing engagement with the Andean region.
In Cuba, Margherita held discussions with President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and senior ministers on cooperation in health, traditional medicine, science, and renewable energy. Two agreements were signed during the visit — a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and a Protocol on Cultural Exchange Programme — expanding collaboration in governance and cultural diplomacy. India also handed over 20 tonnes of disaster relief assistance to Cuba following Hurricane Melissa, including medical equipment, medicines, and modular “Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cubes,” portable field hospitals developed under India’s humanitarian initiative.
Meanwhile, Secretary (East) P. Kumaran co-chaired the 9th India–Chile Foreign Office Consultations in Santiago on November 10 with Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen, Secretary General of Chile’s Foreign Ministry. The discussions reviewed progress since the April 2025 state visit of Chilean President Gabriel Boric to India, focusing on the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both sides also explored cooperation in critical minerals, green energy, education, space, traditional medicine, and innovation. Easing visa procedures for business professionals and creating new arrangements for social security and the recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia were also discussed.
Kumaran’s onward visit to Paraguay further strengthened India’s outreach to smaller but strategically located countries in Latin America. Engagements with such nations reflect India’s approach of inclusive diplomacy and mutual development.
The upcoming visit of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to India later this month to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is expected to further highlight the growing strength of India–Latin America relations.
