Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist January 2019 | Page 18

INDIA AND LATIN AMERICA
AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION
BY DR. STUTI BANERJEE*
I
ndia’s relations with the Latin America and Caribbean
region (LAC) has been interrupted at the best of times
and largely ignored at the worst. With the BRICS summit
in Fortaleza, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brazil and his
meeting with the other heads of States and governments on
the sidelines has brought a refocus on a region that has long
been neglected by India. With the momentum generated by
the visit to the region by both President Kovind and Vice
President Naidu and the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister
for the G-20 summit to be held in Argentina, India has to reach
out to the region to build a formidable economic relationship
but also a powerful political partnership for enhanced south-
south cooperation. India not only shares common values with
LAC countries but also contributes to international order and
development through memberships of several international
organisations and work closely together in the UN, G-77,
NAM etc.
The region has thirty three nations and India needs to build
a foreign policy that takes into account the diversity that the
region present. Brazil by virtue of its size has always taken
more attention in the foreign policy, and while it will continue
to be important, India should have a better understanding of
the other countries of LAC region. A start in that direction
would be to become part of the various regional groupings that
the LAC region has. It would provide India with the advantage
to interact with smaller groups of nations, understand their
needs and provide solutions. It will also allow India to engage
with the larger northern market of the United States, as most
countries of the region have free trade agreements with the
United States. India is diversifying its energy basket and the
countries of the region such as Argentina, Venezuela, Chile,
Columbia, and the Caribbean countries are important energy
partners. The region is also focused on the development
of renewable energy with Brazil leading with its bio-fuel
platform (of which India is a member and Brazil is part
of the International Solar Alliance). India has pledged its
commitment to addressing climate change by reducing its
emission contribution. To achieve the same it is focussed on
renewable sources of energy and technology to develop the
same. India’s energy needs are enormous. Collaboration and
investment in this sector by enterprises from LAC would not
only accelerate the economic engagement but would also be
18 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 1 • January 2019, Noida