H.E. Ms. Namrata S. Kumar, Ambassador of India to Latvia
H.E. Ms. Namrata S. Kumar, India’s first resident Ambassador to Latvia, brings warmth, vision, and a deep appreciation for cultural linkages to her historic posting. In this candid interview, she reflects on her first impressions of Riga, the surprising cultural and linguistic parallels between India and Latvia, and the immense potential for collaboration across sectors—from green energy and space technology to education and tourism. Speaking with passion, Ambassador Kumar outlines how architecture, heritage, cuisine, and people-to-people connections can serve as powerful bridges, while also championing India’s growing role in the Baltic region. Her insights reveal a roadmap for strengthening bilateral ties and celebrating the vibrant contributions of the Indian diaspora in Latvia.
Madam Ambassador, Latvia is a small but culturally rich nation in the heart of the Baltics. What were your first impressions upon arriving in Riga? Any unexpected surprises?
I landed in Riga on a cold-chilly night of 26th February 2025 – dark and snow all over. What I received was just the opposite – warmth and bright smiles, love and affection by every Latvian I met. This contrast is only possible amongst the people who are the descendants and owners of rich culture; those who for most of the year live in dark and difficult weather conditions, those who have gone through painful historical experience, but have learnt to find music, poetry, smiles, life and resilience within these harsh conditions. This contrast is imprinted as a lasting impression on my heart generating high respect for the Latvians. I am happy and proud to represent as the first resident Ambassador of my Bharat to Latvia, a beautiful country of warm and affable people.
Latvia and India may be geographically distant, but do you see common threads, perhaps in values, history, or people, that connect the two nations more deeply than we realise?
Of course, yes. From language, family values, festivals, traditional rituals, embroidery, to ancient oral traditions that existed before the written word… there are several similarities between the cultures of two countries. For example, similarity between Sanskrit and Latvian languages – both descending from the ancient proto-Indo-European language share a lot of similarities. Proto-Baltic language from which Latvian language diversified, originated sometime in 3rd millennium BC and Sanskrit is a 5000-year-old language. Linguistic linkages are age old. There is a ritual of offering prayers to the fire for seeking blessings. Not only the word for fire in two languages is similar sounding – Agni in Sanskrit and Uguns in Latvian, but also the purpose behind performing these rituals in the two cultures is same, that is to bring blessings and purify space. There is a need to go deeper into both cultures to understand the linkages that connect people at much deeper level and bridge the distances that are whether due to geography of the ones creep in due to difference in appearances.
Riga is known for its art nouveau architecture and India for its rich and diverse heritage. How do you see architecture and culture acting as soft power bridges between India and Latvia?
Even though the art nouveau architecture of the capital city Riga and India’s rich and diverse architectural heritage have very different architectural styles, ofcourse architecture and culture of constructing buildings can act as a major soft power bridges between India and Latvia. A building is not just a lifeless structure, but a living story with a context. Understanding and studying their lives and techniques tells a lot about the people, country and their history. India offers wide canvas of architecture tourism with over 40 building complexes listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites ranging from the hill forts to churches, cave complexes, temples, stepwells, monasteries, stupas. In the contemporary context, bringing together the architects, engineers, designers, town planners of the two countries for sharing their knowledge, skills, talents and experiences for designing environment-friendly green buildings, habitations, towns for making the living cleaner, is something that would benefit both the countries. Both India and Latvia are developing eco-friendly solutions with unique styles and designs. Exchange of knowledge and collaborative efforts will foster developing creative and affordable solutions bringing people closer.
From ayurveda and yoga to Bollywood and vegetarian food—India’s cultural exports travel far. Which aspects of Indian culture have found resonance among Latvians?
All of them. Each having its own audience and set of followers. In the order of popularity from higher to lesser degree is yoga, vegetarian food, Bollywood, followed by ayurveda, with the possibility of Bollywood soon taking the first position.
How do you envision India’s role in the Baltic region evolving in the years ahead, particularly in light of strategic interests like digital innovation, education, and climate action?
India’s relations with Latvia and other Baltic countries operates at three levels – bilateral, India-Baltic (also includes Nordic countries) and India-EU. India opened its resident Missions in Estonia (December 2021), Lithuania (March 2023) and Latvia (July 2024) in a span of three years is a testimony of the potential seen in the India-Baltic Region relations. The three Baltic countries have mobilised themselves with close cooperation at various levels, be it the Baltic Assembly, G2G level, closer engagement at President and Ministerial level, cooperation in the fields of economy, education, culture, security and more, thereby offering a possibility of engaging with them together.
On the other hand, since its independence, India has carved its path towards growth amidst various challenges having experience of working on growth inspite of external or internal challenges. Based on its experience especially of the past 11 years under Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi of providing direction for the growth of the country and solutions for the prosperity of its people, it has a lot to offer in terms of devising affordable solutions for the citizens through democratic processes. Dealing with anything in large numbers and volumes is India’s forte. India has expertise and experience in sectors which are of interest to the Baltic countries as well, such as space, defence, new and renewable energy, green hydrogen, green and clean economy, AI, new and emerging technologies, digital innovations in the form of India-stack. India’s huge market, vibrant start-up ecosystem and vast talent pool offers tremendous potential for mutual growth to any country that collaborates with India. With the Baltic countries India will be looking at the partnerships for the mutual benefit, cooperation at the bilateral level as well as at the international fora.
On the economic front, what sectors hold the most promise for India-Latvia Collaboration — logistics, green energy, pharmaceuticals, or perhaps education and tech?
Continued business in traditional sectors namely pharmaceuticals, machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, rubber and rubber products, wood… is as important as exploring partnerships in the sectors of current and future relevance. AI and digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, new and renewable energy, green hydrogen, circular economy, defence, infrastructure, logistics, entertainment, and new & emerging technologies are the emerging sectors where partnership would be of mutual benefit. Presence of Latvian companies as MicroTic, SAF Tehnika, BIOLARS, Olaine/Olpha in India and, Indian companies as Tech Mahindra, plus companies established by the Indian businesspersons in Latvia as Unifarma, CargoServices, Darbar Enterprise are paving way for greater engagement. Space is another sector of mutual interest. India launched Latvia’s first satellite, Venta-1, in June 2017 as part of a larger payload of satellites, carried in space by India’s PSLV rocket.
Given India’s strength in the Space sector we are looking forward towards active engagement between space agencies and companies of the two countries. Speaking of collaboration in education and technology, these alongwith R&D form backbone of the industry and cannot be seen delinked. Education and R&D is a sector where our Indian students in Latvia are functioning as a crucial link. While they are taking education in Latvian universities, they are also contributing in various R&D projects in Latvia. Our endeavour would be to connect companies and businesspersons in the emerging sectors of mutual interest as well as promote collaborations in education and R&D through various channels – webinars, delegation level visits, facilitating participation of stakeholders in leading fairs, engaging with prominent business chambers, universities and research institutes.
The Indian diaspora in Latvia may be small, but it is vibrant. Could you share how the community contributes to bilateral ties and whether any initiatives are underway to strengthen their engagement?
Of all the Asian countries, it can be safely said that Indian diaspora is the largest with over 5000 Indians living in Latvia of which more than half are the students. While the number has increased manifold since year 2015-2016, good number of Indians came to Latvia about 2-3 decades ago and made this beautiful country their home. Whether as businesspersons, professionals, members of non-profit organizations, workers or students, Indian diaspora members are not only contributing to the Latvian economy, studies, R&D but also are functioning as real-time bridges between India and Latvia. Indian businesses in Latvia in IT, pharmaceuticals and logistics sectors are offering employment to large number of professionals. ISKON, established as early as in 1992 followed by Bhaktimarga and Gayatri Pariwar as schools of Hinduism and Buddhist monasteries as schools of Buddhism in Latvia offer platforms for vibrant cultural exchange and dialogue. While Indian Raja, Singh’s, Curry House and Banana leaf brought aromas and tastes of diverse Indian cuisine; Darbar Enterprise took lead in presenting India’s vibrant cinema to the Latvians. Promotion of cricket in Latvia is fully credited to the efforts of the members of Indian diaspora, who in collaboration with Latvian partners established seven cricket clubs forming a Latvian Cricket Federation.
All these success stories in business, faith and cultural dialogue, promotion of yoga, ayurveda, cuisine, films and cricket as India’s soft power in Latvia written by the vibrant Indian diaspora strengthening India-Latvia relations at the people-to-people level. I am very proud of the Indian diaspora in Latvia and look forward towards working alongwith them to further strengthen India-Latvia relations.
Do you see Latvia emerging as an educational hub for Indian students?
Latvia has good quality universities, offering wide range of affordable courses. Indians by nature are open to explore new shores and learn wherever there are good opportunities for learning something new, doing something different. Having exposed to multiple languages and huge diversity in India, Indians have an inherent ability to learn foreign languages and seamlessly assimilate with the host culture.
Latvia is currently dealing with shortage of workforce. Foreign students studying in Latvian universities offer an environment and a framework for smoother integration of these students in the local culture establishing also forward linkages with the industry. This is a symbiotic relationship between the Latvian universities, industry and the Indian students based on mutualism and demand and supply. Given these factors, yes, Latvia is emerging as one of the favoured destinations for education for foreign students including Indian students.
If you had to introduce India to a Latvian traveller in three words, what would they be?
Going beyond ‘Diversity, Colour and Incredible’ I would like to present India what it is today and will be tomorrow –
My Bharat: Growing, Rising and Shining!
Mana Bharata: Augoša, Ceļas, Mirdzoša!
Mera Bharat: Urjit, Udaymaan, Ujwal!
As India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day in 2025, how do you reflect on the country’s journey so far?
India’s journey of becoming the Bharat that it is today has been incredible, especially in the last 11 years under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi. From a situation of abject poverty and a stagnant economy at the time of independence to becoming the fourth largest economy all set to become a $5 trillion economy by 2027; from a state of dependency to becoming Aatmanirbhar Bharat, contributing to the world; from slow-moving-elephant to becoming a vibrant democracy…within 100 years, India, the Bharat is a case study on nation building in short span of time. We are the proud 1.4 billion people today; all aligned towards one vision with Growth as its axis. This is a feeling for which there is no word to describe!
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