New Delhi, June 2, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and his high-level delegation to India on Monday, marking a significant step forward in strengthening India-Paraguay relations. The visit, described as “historic” by the Prime Minister, is only the second time a President of Paraguay has visited India.
During the delegation-level talks held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of Paraguay as a partner in South America. “Though our geographies are different, we are bound by shared democratic values and a commitment to the well-being of our people,” he said in his opening statement.
President Peña’s visit, which includes stops in both Delhi and Mumbai, was acknowledged as a strong gesture of commitment towards enhancing bilateral relations. PM Modi appreciated the presence of senior ministers and a robust Paraguayan delegation, highlighting the intent to deepen cooperation.
The leaders identified several key areas for future collaboration, including digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, and space. These sectors, according to the Prime Minister, offer promising opportunities for both nations to work together and foster mutual growth and prosperity.
India and Paraguay are already linked through a Preferential Trade Agreement with the South American trading bloc MERCOSUR, and both leaders agreed that there is scope to further expand and strengthen this economic framework.
On the global front, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India and Paraguay share common challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and drug trafficking. He reaffirmed that both countries stand united in fighting these threats and should enhance cooperation to address them.
As members of the Global South, India and Paraguay face similar developmental challenges and have shared aspirations. PM Modi stressed the importance of learning from each other’s experiences, especially in tackling global and regional issues such as public health, poverty reduction, and technology access.
A noteworthy aspect of the partnership was India’s assistance to Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi recalled how India had extended support by providing vaccines and expressed the country’s willingness to continue offering its capabilities in the spirit of South-South cooperation.
The Prime Minister expressed strong confidence that President Peña’s visit would strengthen the “three pillars” of India-Paraguay relations — trust, trade, and close cooperation — while also contributing to broader India-Latin America relations. He noted that India is keen to deepen ties with the entire region, referencing his participation in the CARICOM Summit in Guyana last year, where cooperation across various fields was discussed.
In conclusion, PM Modi reiterated the warmth of India’s welcome to President Peña, stating, “I believe your visit will add new energy to our growing partnership.”
This landmark meeting sets the stage for a more dynamic and multi-dimensional relationship between India and Paraguay, aligned with shared values, mutual respect, and the goal of inclusive growth.
