India is sending a high-level delegation to Colombia and Peru this week, underscoring its commitment to deepening ties with the Global South. Led by Secretary (East) P. Kumaran, the visit from August 21 to 26, marks a renewed push to enhance cooperation with two of South America’s most dynamic economies.
This visit reflects India’s growing strategic focus on the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, a region rich in natural resources, economic potential and shared values such as democracy and multilateralism.
Colombia: Expanding Trade And Democratic Solidarity
India’s relations with Colombia have grown steadily, with bilateral trade reaching US $4.72 billion in the last fiscal. Colombia is a major oil supplier to India and hosts Indian investments in pharmaceuticals, automobiles and IT.
“We are very pleased and honoured with the visit of P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), and Joint Secretary Dr. Praphullachandra Sharma. This high-level visit reflects India’s intention to deepen engagement with the LAC region,” Victor Hugo Echeverri Jaramillo, Colombia’s Ambassador to India, told StratNews Global.
He highlighted the alignment of values and global vision. “India and Colombia share democratic principles, freedom of speech and a genuine concern for human rights and global challenges. That foundation gives strength to our partnership.”
On the expectations from the visit, Ambassador Victor said, “We hope it paves the way for the XI Bilateral Mechanism meeting. Our focus includes trade, investment, alternative energy, IT and health. While oil dominates our trade, we seek a more diversified commercial exchange.”
He noted that Indian businesses are already well-integrated in Colombia’s economy and hoped for further diversification in his country’s exports to India.
He also pointed to Colombia’s current leadership roles in Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Pacific Alliance. “We aim to advance toward an India-CELAC ministerial meeting. It would help shape a collective LAC-India response to global issues under the principle of mutual respect.”
He mentioned Colombia having eased travel for Indian citizens holding valid U.S. or Schengen visas, making it “one of the most flexible migration processes in the region”.
Peru: Natural Resources And Strategic Sectors
In Peru, the Indian delegation will explore cooperation in mining, agriculture, rare earths and pharmaceuticals. “This is an important visit and a step towards building a strategic relationship between India and Peru,” Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Peru’s Ambassador to India, told StratNews Global.
He added that a key focus would be to identify opportunities in Peru’s mining sector, “He [Secretary Kumaran] is going to talk specifically to learn more about the mining opportunities in Peru as well as rare earth minerals.” Peru could be a strategic partner for India, particularly in food security and agricultural cooperation, according to him.
Resource Synergy & Connectivity Potential
Dr Aparaajita Pandey, Assistant Professor at Amity University and a specialist in Latin American affairs, highlighted the broader potential for India-Peru cooperation. “Peru also has large reserves of metals like silver, zinc and iron. Potential reserves of rare earth metals have been found as well. A collaboration here would be mutually beneficial.”
She noted that Peru’s geographic and logistical assets could be valuable for India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. “The Port of Chancay is emerging as a major maritime logistics hub in South America. It could connect directly with Asian shipping routes and significantly cut down shipping time and costs.”
On agricultural cooperation, Dr Pandey added: “India and Peru have historic ties in agricultural research since India’s Green Revolution. Peru has invested in large-scale irrigation projects covering nearly a million hectares. India could explore joint ventures to stabilise its supply of lentils, grains and pulses.”
Latin America’s Growing Role In India’s Global Strategy
Rochelle Miranda, a Bogotá-based expert on India-Latin America relations, noted the strategic timing of the visit. “India already has more trade in value terms with some Latin American countries than with several of its neighbours. This visit reflects a long-term commitment to deepening ties with Colombia and Peru—two of the most forward-looking economies in the region.”
She highlighted India’s strengths as a partner. “There’s strong economic complementarity. Latin America can offer natural resources and agricultural goods, while India brings strengths in IT, pharmaceuticals and capacity-building.”
Miranda also stressed the value of soft power and digital diplomacy, “These visits help foster people-to-people ties, mutual understanding and open doors for cultural and academic exchange — essential pillars for sustained cooperation within the Global South.”
India’s visit to Colombia and Peru is not just a diplomatic gesture. It’s a strategic assertion of Global South solidarity, resource diplomacy and the pursuit of a multipolar world order. By focusing on areas like rare earths, energy security, digital collaboration, and sustainable agriculture, India is carving out a distinct and future-oriented role in Latin America.
