Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President of Paraguay during delegation-level talks, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with the South American nation. The meeting marked a significant milestone, with Modi highlighting Paraguay’s role as an important partner in the region and emphasizing the shared values that unite both countries despite geographical differences.
Modi commended the historic nature of the visit, noting that this was only the second time a President of Paraguay had visited India. He welcomed Paraguay’s delegation, which includes senior ministers and officials, noting that their engagement in both New Delhi and Mumbai underscores their commitment to building deeper relations with India. Modi emphasized that through collaboration, both nations could pave a path toward mutual prosperity and growth.
Discussions centered around expanding cooperation in critical sectors, including digital technology, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defense, railways, and space. Modi highlighted India’s preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR, expressing optimism that further expansion of trade mechanisms could enhance economic partnerships. He stressed that India and Paraguay stand united against terrorism, and he called for deeper cooperation in addressing cybercrime, organized crime, and drug trafficking, which pose shared security concerns.
Modi underscored that India and Paraguay, as integral parts of the Global South, face similar challenges and aspirations. He emphasized that their experiences can serve as valuable lessons for one another in tackling global issues effectively. He recalled India’s support for Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it extended vaccine assistance, and expressed India’s continued willingness to share its capabilities in various sectors to strengthen Paraguay’s growth.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral relations, Modi stated that Paraguay’s visit would reinforce trust, trade, and cooperation, creating new opportunities for engagement across diplomatic and economic fronts. He noted that India had previously participated in the CARICOM Summit in Guyana, where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across multiple areas. Modi suggested that Paraguay could be a key partner in advancing these conversations further, strengthening ties between India and Latin America.
Modi concluded by once again extending a warm welcome to the Paraguayan delegation, affirming that the visit would serve as a catalyst for deeper collaboration and stronger diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The dialogue sets the foundation for new partnerships in trade, security, and regional cooperation, reinforcing India’s commitment to engaging with Latin America in a meaningful and progressive manner.
