In a flurry of diplomatic activity across Latin America, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, concluded a high-profile tour through Ecuador, Bolivia, and Cuba between November 4 and 10, 2025, aiming to bolster India’s ties with the region. The visit, which coincided with significant political shifts in Bolivia and ongoing humanitarian needs in Cuba, underscored both India’s growing global engagement and the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Americas.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Margherita’s journey began in Ecuador where he met President Daniel Noboa Azin, Foreign Minister Maria Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, and the Agriculture Minister. The main highlight was the announcement of a new Indian embassy in Quito, reflecting India’s intent to deepen its diplomatic footprint in the region. As reported by ANI, Margherita and his Ecuadorian counterparts signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their diplomatic training institutes, and he encouraged Ecuadorian candidates to take advantage of India’s ITEC training programs, especially in cutting-edge fields like digital technology, artificial intelligence, and science and technology.
The visit to Ecuador also saw Margherita pay tribute at the Monument of Heroes of August in Quito and engage with local business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora. Both countries agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in India in the first half of 2026, signaling a commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
Bolivia was the next stop for Margherita, where he attended the inauguration of President Rodrigo Paz and Vice President Edmond Lara in La Paz on November 8. The ceremony marked the end of nearly two decades of rule by the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party, led by Evo Morales and Luis Arce, whose tenure saw Bolivia align closely with anti-U.S. regimes such as China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. As reported by Infobae, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau was also in attendance, underscoring the international significance of the event. Landau described the inauguration as “the most emotional” of his career, stating, “We are now prepared to work hand in hand, respecting the country’s sovereignty and seeking opportunities for economic development that can benefit the people of Bolivia.”
Landau’s comments came amid heightened concerns over Iran’s influence in Bolivia. During the MAS era, Bolivia signed a defense and security memorandum with Iran in 2023, which included the purchase of Iranian-made drones—an agreement that alarmed neighboring countries, particularly Argentina, given its history with Iranian-linked terrorist attacks. Landau emphasized, “America is willing to help the new government of Bolivia dismantle Iran’s terrorist influence in the country.” He added, “The issue of Iran will be a matter of great mutual interest, and I suppose not only for the United States and Bolivia, but also for the governments of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and all of Bolivia’s neighboring countries, that no Iranian military equipment is being manufactured or distributed in Bolivia.”
Margherita, meanwhile, used his time in Bolivia to reinforce India’s support for Bolivia’s growth and development. He paid floral tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in La Paz, planted a sapling under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, and inaugurated the new building of the Indian Embassy. He also participated in the 150th-year celebration of Vande Mataram, engaging with business, cultural leaders, and ITEC scholars to foster people-to-people connections. Discussions in Bolivia centered on cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda and Yoga, digital technologies such as India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), artificial intelligence, trade in critical minerals, textiles, and tourism.
The final leg of Margherita’s tour took him to Cuba, where he arrived in Havana on November 10, marking the 65th year of diplomatic relations between India and Cuba. As reported by the MEA and ANI, Margherita called on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martinez Diaz, and other senior officials. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties in health and medicine, digital public infrastructure, and capacity building. Margherita also held detailed talks with Acting Foreign Minister Gerardo Penalver Portal on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
During his stay, Margherita witnessed the signing of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and a Protocol on the Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Cuba—concrete steps aimed at deepening institutional and cultural cooperation. He paid floral tributes at the Jose Marti Memorial and at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Havana, and visited the Fidel Castro Centre, where he reflected on the “enduring legacy of Cuba’s revolutionary leadership and its deep bonds of friendship with India.”
One of the most tangible outcomes of the visit was India’s delivery of 20 tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material to Cuba, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The relief package included Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cubes, rehabilitation items, food, medicines, medical equipment, power generators, shelter materials, and hygiene kits. Margherita handed over the consignment to Cuban Deputy Prime Ministers, demonstrating India’s commitment to international solidarity and South-South cooperation.
Across all three countries, Margherita proposed organizing Indian film, fashion, and food festivals to further enhance people-to-people ties—a soft power approach that has become a hallmark of India’s foreign policy. He reiterated India’s readiness to work closely with Ecuador, Bolivia, and Cuba on priorities such as health, digital technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, textiles, and tourism, guided by “the spirit of South-South cooperation and the principle of global good.”
The broader geopolitical context of Margherita’s visit cannot be ignored. The restoration of full diplomatic ties between Bolivia and the United States after 17 years of strained relations reflects a realignment in the region, with Bolivia’s new leadership signaling a break from the “Socialism of the 21st Century.” Landau’s remarks about the U.S. being a “good partner and friend of the Bolivian people” and the possibility of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration returning to Bolivia—should President Paz agree—point to a new era of engagement.
For India, the tour was more than a series of ceremonial meetings; it was a strategic investment in relationships that span trade, technology, culture, and humanitarian aid. By engaging with leaders across the region, India is positioning itself as a reliable partner—one that offers not just economic opportunity, but also a shared vision for development and cooperation in an increasingly complex world.
As Latin America navigates political change and seeks new international partnerships, India’s outreach—anchored in history, shared values, and practical collaboration—signals a future where old alliances are reimagined and new ones are forged in the spirit of mutual respect and global good.
