India Expands Latin Ties: Margherita Opens Embassies in Ecuador, Bolivia, Strengthens Strategic Cooperation in Cuba
In a move to deepen India's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean, India's Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, concluded a seven-day diplomatic tour across Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba from November 4 to 10.
The visit marked a new phase in South-South cooperation, with the inauguration of Indian embassies in Ecuador and Bolivia, renewed strategic commitments with Cuba, and outreach across sectors ranging from health and digital to critical minerals and culture.
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| MoS inaugurating the new Chancery building of the Embassy of India in La Paz, Bolivia |
The visit saw the signing of an MoU between the two nations' diplomatic training institutes and discussion on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, technology, and digital transformation. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in India in early 2026.
During his visit to Bolivia, the Minister represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected President Rodrigo Paz and Vice President Edmond Lara in La Paz. He conveyed India’s support for Bolivia’s development priorities and inaugurated the new Indian Embassy building.
Honouring Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, he paid tribute at his bust and planted a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. He also participated in celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, engaging with the local Indian community, business representatives, and ITEC alumni.
In Havana, Cuba, Margherita met President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other top leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martinez Diaz and Foreign Trade Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva. The visit led to the signing of two key agreements: a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and a Cultural Exchange Protocol.
He paid homage to Cuban icon José Martí and Mahatma Gandhi, and visited the Fidel Castro Centre. India’s support also came in tangible form, 20 tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies, including the Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube, were handed over following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.
Across all three countries, Margherita’s outreach focused on intensifying collaboration in pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, yoga, AI, digital public infrastructure (DPI), textiles, tourism and the arts. Initiatives to promote Indian cinema, fashion, and cuisine were discussed as avenues for boosting cultural diplomacy.
The Minister underscored India’s commitment to working with Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba in a spirit of solidarity, advancing shared priorities through South-South cooperation and global goodwill.