India and Latin America: Looking Ahead

India’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean are more recent than with any other region of the world, for geographical and historic reasons. This piece seeks to trace the early associations, leading up to the consolidation of political and diplomatic relations in the twentieth century, and the more recent phenomenon of exponential increase in commercial and economic relations in this century. The Indian official establishment has recognised the potential that region holds for business and energy security, but also realises that the relationship carries no political baggage. Recent developments on the political and economic front augur well for a strong partnership. Latin America also recognises India as an important global power and a market for its resources, as well as a partner in several business ventures. This essay traces the diplomatic and political relationship, as well as the commercial links that have been established across the region. It examines and outlines the complementarity, given the extensive Latin American resource base, Indian technology, entrepreneurial initiatives, etc., to portray a vision of an even more dynamic future relationship. This will encompass and encourage cultural links with spinoffs in tourism, film production, etc. Eventually, the growing political and economic relationship will lead to establishment of greater physical connectivity, abolishing the myth of distance.