Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist September 2019 | Page 20

SPECIAL REPORT
cooperation with India in order to augment the existing ties
between the two regions.
Foreign Ministers from Central American countries
outlined the desire for greater economic cooperation through
the trade body of SICA. The desire was translated into action
with the holding of the second India-SICA Foreign Ministers´
meeting in Delhi in June 2008. One of the important outcomes
of the meeting was the India offer to extend co-operation to
SICA countries in critical areas that included agriculture,
SMEs, pharmaceuticals, tourism, IT-related activities,
renewable energy, disaster management, distant education
and supply of satellite imagery for development purposes.
There was a clear-cut line adopted towards actualisation of
promises and strengthening of ties.
The third and more recent reflections of strengthening
of ties was evident in the deliberations that took place
in Guatemala City in 2015. There was an expression of
satisfaction with the way the political, economic relations
and cooperation between the Parties had been shaping up.
The member States of SICA had in the previous meeting
highlighted the importance of financial cooperation received
from India through Lines of Credit (LOC) that have been
granted to the region (Siddiqui 2019). An invitation was
extended to India to be conferred membership of the Central
American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) as an
extra-regional partner. The intention would be to help in
consolidating India’s presence in the region. Furthermore,
according to the MEA, India has been offered membership
of the Group of Partner Countries of the Security Strategy of
Central America (ESCA). ESCA aims to create democratic
security, bestowing greater protection to people and property
and promoting sustainable human development.
The outcome of the interactions has resulted in India
setting up Centres of Excellence in Information Technology
in the SICA countries. India is keen to promote cooperation in
the five pillars of regional integration, as well as, in key areas
such as agriculture, food security, energy security, MSMEs,
and capacity building. Overall, with satisfaction the excellent
status of political, economic relations and cooperation
between the Parties. Despite good intentions of all partners,
regrettably, future rounds of talks have not materialised due
to non-availability of dates of member countries.
Augmenting the Association
The ultimate aim of India and SICA members is to move
towards a Customs Union. The implementation of this
requires the carrying out of facilitating measures according
to the requirement and capability of each member country.
This can pave solid grounds for the creation of a competitive
agreement that can set in motion social integration and
economic collaboration in the coming years. In terms of ease
of collaboration, language and distance are a barrier to India
moving towards SICA but given the technological revolution
and appropriate connectivity, areas for mutual cooperation
can be bridged.
An indication of the importance of the Latin America and
Caribbean region for India is exemplified by Vice President
Naidu’s first official visit to Latin American countries in
2016 that was part of the effort to address India’s high-level
contact deficit with the region. Naidu’s visit was followed
by President Ram Nath Kovind visit to Suriname and Cuba
in June 2018 and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the region
(2018) when Argentina hosted the G20 summit, has helped
boost bilateral relations with the countries of the region.
The visits of high-level dignitaries from India were aimed at
realigning institutional mechanisms for political interactions,
multilateral issues, trade, commerce and investments.
Leaping Forward
It is imperative for India and the nations of SICA to explore
the strengths vis-à-vis the requirements to determine areas of
possible cooperation in the sectors of defence, information
technology, health and medicines and culture. Admittedly, both
parties in 2015 had agreed to continue with dialogues and efforts
at relevant forums on issues of common interest that would
include reform of the UNSC, climate change, international
terrorism and other germane issues. (MEA 2015). The trajectory
of co-operation has displayed signs of improvement but there
are still many issues to be overcome. Strategies and policies
must be devised to take advantage of each other’s strengths
and learn the best practices from each other. n
References:
Aggarwal, Pallav (2018) Why India should focus more
on Latin American region now https://www.orfonline.org/
expert-speak/44407-why-india-should-focus-more-latin-
american-region/ accessed on 30 August 2019.
http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/Newssearch.aspx
?newsid=30230&Date=11Mar2019 accessed on 29 August
2019.
http://mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/sica-
august-2012.pdf accessed on 28 August 2019.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/
foreign-trade/india-sica-poised-for-greater-trade-
cooperation accessed on 28 August 2019.
Ministry of External Affairs, India (2015). Joint
Communique of the Ministerial meeting between India and
SICA member countries. New Delhi.
Siddiqui, Huma. (2019). India-SICA talks to take place
soon to help promote bilateral trade and investments.
Financial Express, New Delhi.
*Author is Assistant Professor, Centre for Canadian, US
and Latin American Studies, JNU, New Delhi
20 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 9 • September 2019, Noida