With Editor Chakravarty

During your tenure as Coordinator of GRULAC, you witnessed India-Latin America relations gathering fresh momentum. As you complete that assignment, how do you assess the progress that has been made and where do you believe the relationship is headed?

Serving as Coordinator of GRULAC has been a privilege. During this period, I have seen India’s engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean gather remarkable momentum. Today, trade between our regions is approaching US$50 billion, and I believe we should aspire to take that figure to US$100 billion by 2030.

I remain optimistic because our economies complement one another. Latin America has many of the resources India needs, while India offers technology, innovation, investment and one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. As I hand over the GRULAC coordinatorship, I do so with confidence that this momentum will continue and that our partnership will grow even stronger.

In a few days, India Empire, in collaboration with its institutional partner FIEO, will host LAC FIRST: India-Latin America & Caribbean Business & Diplomatic Conference. What message would you like to give, and how important are initiatives of this nature in strengthening India-Latin America relations?

I believe the conference came at exactly the right time. India is one of the world’s most attractive economies, while Latin America and the Caribbean offer significant opportunities for Indian businesses. Bringing governments, diplomats and industry together creates the right environment for meaningful partnerships.

Conferences such as LAC FIRST place important issues firmly on the agenda and help move them to the next stage. We share democratic values, face many common challenges and seek inclusive growth for our societies. Above all, they remind us that geography is no barrier. Our regions have much in common and much to gain from working more closely together.

Despite growing trade and political engagement, connectivity remains one of the biggest challenges. Travelling to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, São Paulo or Lima still involves long journeys and multiple connections. Are there encouraging discussions on improving air connectivity between India and Latin America?

We certainly hope so. During President Lula’s recent visit to India, the issue of air connectivity was discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and we understand there is interest in exploring practical solutions.

One important step would be to restore the Delhi-Madrid service that existed before the Covid-19 pandemic. Madrid has traditionally served as an excellent gateway to South America, making onward travel much easier.

Another possibility under discussion is a route with a stopover in South Africa, perhaps linking Delhi with Cape Town before continuing to Buenos Aires, São Paulo or Lima. Better connectivity would encourage not only trade and investment but also tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Indians are travelling abroad in increasing numbers, and we would be delighted to welcome many more visitors from India to Uruguay and the wider Latin American region.