India, Paraguay hold first Joint Commission talks, underscore growing strategic outreach to Latin America
New Delhi, November 15. India and Paraguay held the inaugural session of their Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) in Asunción, signalling New Delhi’s growing diplomatic and economic outreach to Latin America at a time when it is seeking diversified partnerships across the Global South.
According to a statement issue by the Ministry of External Affairs on November 14, the meeting was co-chaired by Paraguay’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Víctor Verdún, and India’s Secretary (East), P Kumaran, with senior officials from key Paraguayan ministries in attendance.
Discussions were conducted in a cordial and forward-looking atmosphere, with both sides taking stock of the evolving India-Paraguay relationship. The talks built on the momentum generated by Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios’s State Visit to India earlier this year, which both delegations described as a watershed in advancing political dialogue and development cooperation. India also welcomed the formation of a Parliamentary Friendship Commission for India in Paraguay’s Senate, calling it a sign of the growing warmth in bilateral ties.
The wide-ranging agenda reflected India’s broader interest in expanding its footprint in Latin and South America. The two sides reviewed collaboration across sectors such as technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, health, trade and investment, civil aviation, space cooperation, water management, and sustainable development. They also discussed enhanced coordination in multilateral forums, where India and Paraguay increasingly align on issues of global governance and development.
Both delegations identified several priority sectors for deeper engagement, including agriculture, solar energy, biofuels, ICT, cybersecurity, public health, technical training, railways, water resources, sustainable development, and space technology. These themes mirror India’s wider efforts to build resilient supply chains and energy partnerships in the Western Hemisphere, especially in economies offering complementary strengths.
India and Paraguay agreed to step up high-level political exchanges and accelerate the negotiation of pending bilateral instruments. Among them, a Cultural Exchange memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 2023–2027 was finalised and is now ready for signature. Officials also explored ways to streamline procedures to make it easier for Indian businesses to operate in Paraguay. The Paraguayan delegation expressed strong interest in attracting Indian investment in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and light manufacturing.
In a notable development, Paraguay announced its intention to join two India-led global initiatives – the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). India welcomed the move, stressing that it would support Paraguay through the accession process.
Security cooperation also featured prominently, with both countries reiterating their commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms and strengthening collaboration in security and cybersecurity.
The meeting underscored the potential of India’s engagement with the the South American Trading Bloc (MERCOSUR), where Paraguay currently holds a key role. Asunción reiterated its readiness to work with New Delhi on expanding trade ties under the MERCOSUR-India Preferential Trade Agreement, an area that both sides had emphasised during President Pena’s June 2025 visit to India.
With the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaching in 2026, India and Paraguay agreed to jointly organise commemorative events marking the evolution of their bilateral partnership since 1961.
The next meeting of the Joint Commission will be held in New Delhi on a date to be decided mutually, the External Affairs Ministry statement added.
