India must seize opportunities in Latin America

Diaspora provides the impetus for closer relations with Caribbean nations; enhanced ties with Brazil and Mexico can help expand Delhi's footprint in the region

- Anit Mukherjee

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was in Rio de Janeiro earlier this week for the G20 Summit hosted by Brazil, the current president of this group. The PM attended the second Caribbean Community (CARICOM)India Summit in Guyana on Wednesday, where he received the highest civilian honours from the presidents of both Guyana and Dominica. PM Modi's visit follows that of the external affairs minister S Jaishankar to the region earlier this year, a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of Latin America during this year's United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York in September, and Argentina's foreign minister's visit to New Delhi in October.

Taken together, these engagements are a sign of India's deepening commitment to improve and strengthen strategic and economic ties with the region where it is still playing catch up to China. In fact, Dominica's award was a recognition of India's "vaccine diplomacy" when it helped smaller countries acquire Covid-19 vaccines at the height of the pandemic. Those memories are still fresh and India is regarded as a partner who could be turned to in times of need. While there is a long way to go before India's influence can match that of its northern neighbour's, it is a step in the right direction that offers new opportunities for both bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation.