The Plenary Session

Even before diplomatic and commercial relations acquired fresh momentum, India and Latin America had already discovered each other through culture. Rabindranath Tagore’s memorable visit to Argentina and his friendship with Victoria Ocampo opened an important chapter. Later, the writings of Pablo Neruda, Gabriel García Márquez, Octavio Paz, Jorge Luis Borges and Paulo Coelho found devoted readers in India. How important do you believe these cultural bridges have been in bringing our regions closer together?

I believe culture is one of the strongest bridges between nations because it reaches people in ways that politics and economics alone cannot. India is one of the world’s oldest civilisations, and that heritage has always inspired admiration in our region.

Rabindranath Tagore played an extraordinary role in introducing India to Latin America. His visit to our continent and his friendship with Victoria Ocampo helped create a lasting image of India for generations of Latin Americans. In many ways, he became one of the great builders of India’s cultural image in our region.

The exchange has also moved in the other direction. Writers such as Pablo Neruda, Gabriel García Márquez, Octavio Paz, Jorge Luis Borges and Paulo Coelho have found an appreciative readership in India. Literature helps us understand one another’s history, emotions and aspirations. Although oceans separate us, we share many human values, and those cultural connections have laid a strong foundation for the closer political and economic partnership we are building today.

Finally, Ambassador, when you look ahead to 2035, what is your vision for the India-Latin America partnership by 2035?

I hope that by then India will have realised its aspiration of becoming a developed nation, and that Latin America will have become an even stronger partner in that journey. My hope is that we will have strengthened our cooperation in ways that create better opportunities and improve the quality of life for our people.

Our regions have complementary strengths, and I believe we can work much more closely in trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, education and sustainable development. If we continue to build this partnership with confidence and mutual respect, I am certain the future will be a very promising one. As I have said, the distance between our countries is not an obstacle. Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous partnership for generations to come.

—For watching the recorded interview, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqqsvvrQzU