With Latin America emerging as a key region for India’s foreign policy under the India–CELAC initiative, how does Paraguay envision its role within this broader context of India–Latin America engagement?

Paraguay views India’s increased engagement with Latin America—especially through the India–CELAC framework—as a significant opportunity for both sides. Within this evolving landscape, Paraguay is positioning itself as a key gateway for Indian outreach into South America, offering unique strategic advantages.

These include:

• Macroeconomic stability and a solid investment-grade credit rating, which make Paraguay one of the most fiscally disciplined and reliable economies in the region.
• A geostrategic location connected by bioceanic corridors and inland waterways, offering access to both Atlantic and Pacific ports—a critical factor for trade diversification and supply chain resilience.
• Preferential access to MERCOSUR markets, allowing Indian companies based in Paraguay to tap into a larger regional consumer base.
• An open, export-driven economy with a strong track record in agribusiness and increasingly in renewable energy and service sectors.

This visit reinforces Paraguay’s commitment to playing an active and constructive role in India’s Latin American strategy—not just as a bilateral partner, but as a facilitator of broader regional collaboration in the context of Global South Cooperation. Paraguay stands ready to work with India to co-develop opportunities in food security, green energy, digital transformation, and infrastructure, thereby anchoring itself as a long-term, high-growth partner in the Southern Hemisphere.

Are there any upcoming cultural or educational exchanges planned as part of this visit to strengthen people-to-people ties between Paraguay and India?

Definitely. Strengthening people-to-people ties is a core component of President Peña’s visit, recognizing that lasting diplomatic relationships are built not just on trade and politics, but on mutual understanding, shared experiences, and cultural exchange. The bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Paraguay have seen a close-knit friendship of 64 years not only in trade and commerce but with exchange of art and culture. During this visit President Peña will also explore agreements towards a greater cultural exchange and agreement with leading Academic Institutions to increase the presence of Paraguayan students on postgraduates’ levels and vice versa.

Several key initiatives are being discussed:

• Student exchanges and scholarships, with a focus on high-demand fields such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, and information technology. These would allow young Paraguayans to study at leading Indian institutions and vice versa.
• The establishment or expansion of language and cultural centers in both countries to facilitate mutual learning, especially in Spanish, Guaraní, and Hindi, and to celebrate traditional art, music, and cuisine.
• Tourism promotion, including collaborative efforts to highlight Paraguay’s ecotourism potential and cultural heritage, and to promote India as a destination for wellness, education, and spiritual tourism among Paraguayan travelers.
• Institutional partnerships between universities, think tanks, and research institutes to foster academic collaboration, joint conferences, and policy dialogues.

These initiatives are designed to deepen the cultural and educational fabric of Paraguay–India relations, creating lasting connections between citizens, scholars, students, and communities. Over time, they will form a strong societal foundation for an enduring strategic partnership.