India and Latin America are considering a strategic partnership as global supply chains face shifts due to geopolitical uncertainties and economic changes. A roundtable discussion, ‘India-Latin America: The Unexplored Partnership,’ organized by the Chintan Research Foundation in New Delhi, brought together ambassadors from several Latin American countries and experts to discuss enhancing relations.
Speakers at the event highlighted the need to update the narrative on India-Latin America ties to reflect recent developments and strengthen engagement across various domains. They emphasized the importance of increasing India’s political presence in the region through more high-level visits and diplomatic efforts.
The discussion also focused on leveraging India’s upcoming BRICS presidency and Uruguay’s presidency of CELAC to deepen cooperation between the two regions. Participants noted the untapped potential in the relationship and the need for sustained political engagement and diversified partnerships to realize this potential.
The roundtable addressed the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape influencing India-Latin America relations, emphasizing the shift from unexplored potential to active engagement. Participants stressed the importance of complementarity to foster deeper collaboration and convergence between the two regions.
The event also examined the implications of China’s economic presence in Latin America and suggested that India should focus on its strengths rather than viewing the region solely through a competitive lens. Participants highlighted the role India could play in enhancing local economic capacities and adding value to products in Latin America.
The discussion concluded that translating the potential of India-Latin America relations into tangible outcomes requires sustained attention, institutionalization, private-sector involvement, and focus on key sectors. Participants emphasized the need to elevate the partnership from a peripheral foreign policy component to a vital player in advancing trade diversification and resource security.
CRF President Shishir Priyadarshi affirmed the foundation’s commitment to facilitating dialogue and research on the India-Latin America relationship. The roundtable ended with a consensus that the groundwork for a stronger partnership between India and Latin America is already laid.
