During a three day state visit by Paraguayan President Santiago Peña to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized their shared resolve to tackle terrorism and related challenges like cybercrime, organized crime and drug trafficking. This visit, the second by a Paraguayan president to India, builds on a history of cordial relations established in 1961. Thus India and Paraguay have reaffirmed their commitment to present a united front against terrorism. The recent high level talks are indeed signaling a deepening of bilateral ties between the Latin American Country of Paraguay and India.
The talks gained significance in the context of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which prompted India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Paraguay’s strong condemnation of the attack, with President Peña conveying solidarity with the victims. “India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism,” stated PM Modi. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms, with officials noting the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism at the Secretary/Vice Ministerial level to advance cooperation in priority areas, the likes of defense and security.
Beyond counterterrorism, the partnership is expanding into diverse sectors. Digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, railways, and space were some of the key sectors that were touched in the talks. Another development in the bilateral talks were with the ongoing negotiation of two MoUs for collaboration in agriculture and space technology, including Paraguay’s interest in working with ISRO to develop small and nano satellites. Both nations also aim to bolster trade ties through India’s preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR, the South American trading bloc that includes Paraguay, with two-way trade valued at $477 million in the fiscal yeaf 2022-2023.
