During his official visit to India, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios extended a significant offer to the Indian government — access to the vast Latin American market comprising over 400 million people. He emphasised that Paraguay stands at the heart of South America, and India can use it as a strategic gateway to enter deeper trade and economic partnerships with the region.

In an exclusive conversation with The Indian Express in New Delhi, Peña said his mission is to “build bridges” between Latin America and India, mirroring the bridge-building leadership he sees in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders met on Monday in a high-level diplomatic meeting focused on strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties.

Strategic Gateway to Latin America

President Peña made a clear and ambitious pitch — India is welcome to leverage Paraguay as an entry point to Latin America, a continent he said is often misunderstood and underutilised by major Asian economies. He positioned Paraguay as “the heart of Latin America”, offering geographical, political, and trade stability that could benefit Indian industries.

“You have access to a 400-million-strong market in South America, and Paraguay is its heart,” Peña said, urging Indian businesses and policymakers to engage more actively with the region.

Paraguay is part of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The bloc has preferential trade agreements with India, but Peña expressed a desire to elevate this relationship to new heights, including more trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement.

Shared Vision with India

Peña praised PM Modi’s leadership, calling him a visionary statesman who is changing the global perception of India. He noted similarities between their leadership approaches — both leaders are focused on growth, connectivity, and global integration.

He also pointed out how India is increasingly seen as a trusted partner across the Global South, a role that Paraguay is eager to acknowledge and engage with. “Prime Minister Modi is building bridges across the world, and that is exactly what I’m here to do — build bridges between Latin America and India,” Peña remarked.

Strong Condemnation of Terrorism

On the issue of terrorism, Peña delivered a powerful message. He unequivocally condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which several Indian security personnel were injured. He extended full support to India’s right to defend its people and territory.

“Terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances. We support India’s right to protect its citizens, its values, and its sovereignty,” he said.

This strong diplomatic statement comes at a time when India is seeking wider international condemnation of terrorism emanating from across the border, particularly in the run-up to major global forums.

Strengthening Economic Ties

President Peña’s visit comes as part of a larger effort to deepen India’s economic and strategic engagement with Latin America. He expressed enthusiasm for Indian expertise in technology, pharmaceuticals, education, and digital payments.

He welcomed Indian companies to invest in Paraguay, especially in areas like agro-processing, clean energy, infrastructure, and fintech. Paraguay, with a young population, stable governance, and abundant clean hydroelectric power, offers a lucrative and strategic destination for Indian investors.

Diplomatic and Cultural Cooperation

Peña highlighted the growing importance of India-Paraguay people-to-people ties, particularly in areas of education, cultural exchange, and digital innovation. He expressed interest in opening more academic and cultural channels, allowing students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from both nations to benefit.

He also hinted at a potential bilateral mechanism to explore deeper defence cooperation, noting that Paraguay respects India's growing global stature and would be open to broader collaborations, including space research and cyber security.

Looking Forward

President Peña’s visit marks a key moment in India’s evolving foreign policy, particularly in terms of expanding its influence and partnerships in Latin America. His strong pitch for bilateral cooperation, his condemnation of terrorism, and his open invitation to Indian businesses all signal a strategic shift in how Paraguay views its partnership with India

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