“Latin America Feels Like a Home Away From Home,” Shri Pabitra Margherita

Speaking at the reception on 19^th May 2026, hosted by the Embassy of Paraguay in New Delhi to commemorate the 215th Anniversary of Paraguay’s Independence and the 65th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, highlighted the growing strategic importance of India–Paraguay relations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean region.

The reception, hosted by H.E. Mr Fleming Duarte, Ambassador of Paraguay to India, brought together ambassadors, diplomats, senior government officials, and members of the business community to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two nations.

Opening his remarks on a warm and personal note, Shri Margherita shared that he had arrived almost directly from an official visit to several Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Costa Rica, Belize, Dominica, and Honduras.

“Over the years, I have travelled frequently across the Latin American and Caribbean region, and it truly feels like a home away from home,” he remarked.

Recalling a light-hearted exchange with a regional leader, he added: “One of the Presidents from the region recently told me that the next time I visit, I should deliver my speech in Spanish since I travel there so often.”

Congratulating Paraguay on its Independence Day celebrations, Shri Margherita emphasised that 2026 marks a special milestone as India and Paraguay celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations.

“Over the past six decades, India and Paraguay have built not merely a partnership, but a relationship rooted in democratic values, respect for pluralism, and a shared belief in an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order,” he stated.

He noted that despite geographical distance, both countries have steadily expanded cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade and investment, digital innovation, healthcare, renewable energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and capacity building.

The Minister also referred to the visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to India last year, describing it as a defining moment that imparted renewed momentum and strategic direction to bilateral ties.

“The fruitful discussions between President Peña and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reflected the shared vision of our leadership to elevate India–Paraguay relations to new heights,” he said.

Highlighting Paraguay’s growing importance within India’s Latin America outreach, Shri Margherita pointed out that Indian companies have significantly increased their engagement in Paraguay, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agrochemicals, and information technology.

At the same time, he acknowledged Paraguay’s strengths in clean energy and agriculture, noting that these sectors offer immense opportunities for deeper collaboration between the two countries.

Shri Margherita also underlined the strategic significance of Mercosur, currently under Paraguay’s Pro Tempore Presidency, and expressed optimism regarding the expansion of the India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

“I am confident that under Paraguay’s leadership, negotiations for the expansion of the India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement will progress successfully, opening new avenues for trade, investment, and deeper economic engagement between our regions,” he said.

The Minister further emphasised the growing people-to-people and cultural connections between India and Paraguay. He noted the increasing popularity of yoga in Paraguay as a bridge of wellness and harmony, while also highlighting the rising interest in Indian cinema, music, and cuisine among the Paraguayan people.

“These people-to-people connections add warmth and vitality to our bilateral relationship,” he observed.

Reaffirming India’s broader foreign policy vision, Shri Margherita stressed that both India and Paraguay, as vibrant democracies, strongly believe in dialogue, peaceful resolution of differences, and the creation of resilient, sustainable, and people-centric societies.

Concluding his address, he reiterated India’s strong commitment to deepening bilateral engagement with Paraguay and expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to flourish in the years ahead.

“India deeply values its partnership with Paraguay. I am confident that under the guidance of our leaders and with the support of all stakeholders present here, our bilateral partnership will continue to flourish in the years ahead.”