India–LAC Strategic Partnership for a Multipolar World

The India–LAC Future Cooperation Forum: A Vision for 2035 – India–LAC Strategic Partnership for a Multipolar World was organised by the Delhi-based think tank, the Movastacon Foundation, through its Centre for Harnessing Alliances in International Relations (CHAIR), in association with the Group of Latin American and Caribbean (GRULAC) Missions in India at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

Fourteen Heads of Mission from GRULAC countries accredited to India, along with former senior diplomats, academics, policy experts, business representatives, researchers, and media professionals, gathered in New Delhi today for the India–LAC Future Cooperation Forum: A Vision for 2035 – India–LAC Strategic Partnership for a Multipolar World.

The Forum served as a platform to discuss the future direction of India’s engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean at a time when both regions are seeking new partnerships, diversified economic relationships, and stronger cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.

The inaugural address was delivered by H.E. Mr. Alberto A. Guani, Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to India and Dean of GRULAC India. In his remarks, Ambassador Guani highlighted the significant untapped potential that exists between India and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. He stressed that while diplomatic relations between the two regions have steadily strengthened over the years, there remains considerable scope to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges. He also underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and practical partnerships to unlock new opportunities for mutual growth.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Mohit Srivastava, Founder President of the Movastacon Foundation, outlined the current status of India–LAC relations and the growing importance of strengthening institutional engagement between the two regions. He emphasised the need for stronger support mechanisms that can facilitate business interactions, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which often face challenges in accessing markets, information, and networks across regions. He noted that enhanced institutional cooperation, greater knowledge sharing, and regular dialogue among stakeholders would be essential for transforming the existing goodwill into tangible outcomes.

The discussions were organised into two thematic sessions covering India’s engagement with Central America and the Caribbean, and India’s engagement with South America, reflecting the Ministry of External Affairs’ institutional engagement through its Central America and South America Division.

The first thematic session brought together H.E. Mr. Jason Hall, High Commissioner of Jamaica; Mr. Fernando Chavez, Minister Counsellor of the Dominican Republic; H.E. Mr. Guillermo Rubio Funes, Ambassador of El Salvador; H.E. Mr. Omar Lisandro Castañeda Solares, Ambassador of Guatemala; H.E. Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, High Commissioner of Guyana; Mr. Dimas Alexi Escobar Guillén, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Honduras; H.E. Mr. Alonso Correa Miguel, Ambassador of Panama; and Mrs. Guadalupe de Regla Frometa Gomez, Deputy Head of Mission of Cuba.

Discussion highlighted opportunities for expanding collaboration in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, strengthening maritime and logistical connectivity, promoting tourism and cultural exchanges, advancing digital public infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives, and addressing shared concerns relating to climate resilience and sustainable development. They also shared country-specific perspectives, identified priority sectors for future engagement, and discussed ways to strengthen institutional linkages and people-to-people connections between India and the countries of Central America and the Caribbean.

The second thematic session examined opportunities for deeper engagement with South American countries and brought together H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustín Caucino, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic; Ms. Arlette G. Bustamente, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; H.E. Dr. Víctor Hugo Echeverri Jaramillo, Ambassador of Colombia; H.E. Mr. Fernando Bucheli, Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador; and H.E. Mr. Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru.

The discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including trade diversification, investment promotion, energy security, critical minerals, agricultural cooperation, innovation, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. They highlighted the complementary strengths of India and South American nations, while also discussing practical measures to enhance commercial exchanges, improve market access, encourage greater business-to-business engagement, and build long-term strategic partnerships capable of delivering mutual economic and developmental benefits.

Throughout the conference, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomatic representatives shared candid assessments of the current gaps in India–LAC engagement while also highlighting sectors where cooperation can be significantly expanded. Participants exchanged views on practical measures that could help strengthen bilateral relations, improve connectivity, facilitate greater commercial interaction, and encourage more frequent exchanges between institutions, businesses, universities, and research organisations.

The conference also benefited from the contributions of distinguished experts and practitioners. Amb. Amarendra Khatua (IFS Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Amb. J.K. Tripathi (IFS Retd.), Former Ambassador of India; Prof. (Dr.) Sonya Surabhi Gupta, Professor of Latin American Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia; Prof. (Dr.) Meenakshi Sundriyal, Professor at the Centre of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Latin American Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Maj. Gen. Sanjay Soi (Retd.), Executive Director, Centre for Defence Analysis and Homeland Security Research (CDAHSR), a strategic unit of Movastacon Foundation; Ms. Charu Pragya, lawyer and political commentator; and Mr. Sanjay Sapra, Managing Director and CEO of Aquanomics Systems Limited, shared their perspectives on the future of India–LAC cooperation.

The conference was observed by representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Their observations and recommendations, together with inputs received from participating diplomatic missions, experts, and other stakeholders, will form part of a comprehensive outcome report being prepared by the Movastacon Foundation.

The roundtable was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, industry associations, importers and exporters, development professionals, scholars, researchers, and senior journalists, reflecting the growing interest in strengthening India’s engagement with the Latin American and Caribbean region.

The insights, recommendations, and perspectives shared during the Forum will be consolidated by the Movastacon Foundation into a comprehensive outcome report. The report will capture the key themes emerging from the discussions and present practical recommendations aimed at strengthening India–LAC engagement over the coming decade. It will be shared with participating diplomatic missions, policymakers, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and other relevant partners to support continued dialogue and contribute to the development of a forward-looking roadmap for India–LAC relations through 2035.

About Movastacon Foundation

Movastacon Foundation is a research Think Tank/Civic body for policy research, Global networking and social work. Movastacon Foundation is an independent research congrumerate, think tank, group for social welfare. It focuses on the issues, challenges and opportunities for global understanding. The foundation believes in understanding the contemporary world and various contexts on a global level through the lens of highly impactful individuals with proven knowledge of concerning matters. The principle of this Independent, objective and Critical Foundation is to study academic and social welfare regime with rigorous efforts on increasing awareness and advocacy.

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