India’s diplomatic footprint across the Caribbean and Latin American region continued to expand in May through a series of high-level political engagements, developmental initiatives and diaspora interactions that underscored New Delhi’s growing emphasis on the Global South. From Costa Rica and Honduras to Belize, Dominica and Chile, Indian leaders held discussions spanning trade, technology, cultural cooperation, climate partnerships and multilateral coordination, signalling a broader strategic effort to strengthen India’s presence across Latin America and the Caribbean.

At the centre of this outreach was Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, whose multi-country visit to Central America and the Caribbean blended diplomacy with cultural engagement and developmental cooperation. In Costa Rica, Margherita held discussions with senior ministers and interacted extensively with members of the Indian community, business leaders, diplomats and alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. During talks with Costa Rica’s Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications Paula Bogantes Zamora, both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in technology, capacity building, support for Indian businesses and Quick Impact Projects. Margherita described the conversations as reflecting a shared commitment towards a stronger and more meaningful bilateral relationship.

The Costa Rica visit also carried strong symbolic and cultural undertones. Margherita inaugurated the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Wall at the University for Peace in San Jose, highlighting India’s ancient philosophy that the “world is one family” and describing it as a guiding principle of India’s engagement with the international community. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the university, emphasising the enduring global relevance of Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violence. As part of India’s environmental outreach, the minister planted a sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, reinforcing India’s advocacy for sustainability and ecological responsibility. The visit additionally included the inauguration of a new Feuji office centre in Costa Rica, reflecting growing commercial and technological cooperation between the two countries. Margherita also attended the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez and conveyed greetings from India’s leadership.

From Costa Rica, Margherita travelled to Honduras, where he held a series of meetings with the country’s top leadership aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and institutional engagement. Discussions with Foreign Minister Mireya Aguero focused on the growing momentum in bilateral relations, while talks with First Vice President Maria Antonieta Mejia explored opportunities to further deepen political and economic ties. The minister also met Honduras’ Secretary of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Yasser Handal Carcamo, with conversations centred on enhancing cooperation in arts, yoga, wellness, cinema and broader cultural exchanges. The Honduras visit once again highlighted India’s attempt to build multidimensional relationships that extend beyond traditional diplomacy into culture, education and soft power engagement.

recurring feature throughout Margherita’s engagements was his interaction with members of the Indian diaspora and ITEC alumni. In Honduras, he praised the Indian community for playing a significant role in strengthening bilateral and people-to-people ties, while in Costa Rica he described the diaspora as a shining symbol of India’s values, talent and goodwill across the world. These interactions reinforced the increasingly important role played by overseas Indian communities in India’s diplomatic outreach, particularly in regions where diaspora networks continue to serve as enduring bridges between societies.

The minister later arrived in Belize, describing it as his first official visit to the Caribbean nation and expressing optimism about productive engagements with the country’s leadership. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit included discussions with senior Belizean dignitaries as well as visits to sites linked to India-supported developmental initiatives. Margherita called on Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations while conveying greetings from the President and Prime Minister of India. He also met members of the Indian diaspora in Belize, appreciating their contribution towards nurturing warm and friendly ties between the two countries.

In the final leg of the Caribbean outreach, Margherita travelled to Dominica, where he was received by Foreign Minister Vince Henderson. During the visit, he called on President Sylvanie Burton, the first woman and first indigenous leader from the Kalinago community to serve as Dominica’s President. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding engagement across various sectors. According to officials, the visit also included plans to review projects being implemented through Indian grant assistance, reflecting India’s continued emphasis on developmental partnerships with small island nations.

Alongside the Caribbean outreach, India also intensified engagement with South America through high-level talks with Chile. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, sourcing, exports and services. Jaishankar noted that both sides agreed to work closely in plurilateral and multilateral formats as India and Chile seek to diversify markets and strengthen economic collaboration amid global supply-chain uncertainties.

Mackenna’s visit to India also witnessed detailed discussions on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reviewed the progress of negotiations with the Chilean delegation and discussed ways to deepen bilateral trade, investment and strategic cooperation. India reiterated its commitment to strengthening economic engagement and people-to-people ties with Chile as part of its broader Latin American strategy. The Chilean Foreign Minister additionally participated in a roundtable interaction with Indian and Chilean business leaders focusing on boosting trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.

Taken together, the engagements across Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, Dominica and Chile reflected a steadily evolving Indian diplomatic strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean, one that combines political dialogue with development assistance, cultural diplomacy, trade expansion, technology cooperation and diaspora engagement. As India seeks stronger partnerships across the Global South, the region is increasingly emerging as an important arena for New Delhi’s strategic, economic and people-centric outreach.