Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist September 2019 | Page 6

Pacific Alliance
An Economic Partnership will help India
BY Huma Siddiqui*
A
n economic partnership with the Pacific Alliance
(Alianza del Pacifico) – a grouping of Mexico,
Peru, Chile, and Colombia will benefit both India
and the alliance. The Pacific Alliance countries are keen
to explore engagement with groupings like ASEAN,
with the aim of deepening cooperation which will help
in facilitating trade and investments flows between the
respective regions. The main objective of the alliance is
to allow free flow of goods, services, capital, and people
as well as promote competitiveness, growth and social
inclusion.
Presently, Chile is getting the rotating Pro Tempore
Presidency of the Alliance and it is expected that under
its presidency it will complement India’s Indo-Pacific
construct. And, since India is seeking to extend its Indo-
Pacific construct from Eastern Africa to the Pacific, the
Pacific Alliance (PA) could provide an appropriate platform.
Despite the distance, India’s relationship with the region
and member countries has witnessed marked improvement.
India enjoys observer status at the annual summit and has
always been represented by its envoy. India became an
Observer member in 2014.
6 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 9 • September 2019, Noida