India-Latin America and Caribbean Relations

India-Latin America and Caribbean Relations

Background

The relationship between India and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) has long been “Out of sight; Out of Mind”. The geographical distance between them meant that there wasn’t a strategic compulsion nor economic rationale to proactively build ties. Yet, the Latin America and Carribean nations and India maintained a history of warm friendship.

Latin America and Carribean nations share the spirit of anti-colonialism with India though many of them had gained independence almost a century before (19th century) India became free. Societies in Latin America and Carribean also have an ancient and rich civilizational value like India and other parts of Asia and Africa. One could hence draw similarities in some cultural practices between India and the Latin America and Carribean region. Latin America and Carribean countries such as Suriname and Guyana have a sizeable population of Indian origin who were shipped by the colonial powers as slaves centuries ago. This forms the basis of India’s ties with Latin America and Carribean.

List of Countries in Latin America and Caribbean – 40

Latin America is generally understood to consist of the entire continent of South America in addition to Mexico, Central America, and the islands of the Caribbean.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Caribbean countries Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.

Post-Independence

1947-1991: After India’s independence, its engagement with Latin America and Carribean was limited. State visits from India have also been negligible in this period with Nehru’s visit to Mexico in 1961 and Indira Gandhi’s visit to 8 Latin American and Carribean nations in 1968.

Relations at present

India and Brazil are the two components of BRICS which was formed in 2006. This getting together of Brazil-Russia-India -China and South Africa (BRICS) has provided a platform for India to actively engage with Latin America and Carribean. The grouping of these emerging nations of the world facilitates greater economic and cultural exchange between India and Latin America and Carribean. The 2014 BRICS summit in Brazil enabled the Indian Prime Minister to hold meetings with other Latin America and Carribean leaders on the sidelines.

With a population of about 620 million and a resource-rich land, Latin America and Carribean presents itself as a great opportunity for India to expand its global footprint. With the advancement of technology and transport mechanisms, the geographical distance can be narrowed to facilitate deeper engagement. History of friendly relations between Latin America and Carribean and India also provides a foundation for enhanced cooperation in the 21st century.