Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Santiago Peña Palacios of Paraguay on his first state visit to India, as both leaders held wide-ranging discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
The meeting took place at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on June 2 as part of President Peña’s three-day visit, which concludes on June 4.
Earlier in the day, President Peña paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial. He was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon arrival at Palam Air Force Station, warmly received by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap! This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen relationship.”
During their joint interaction, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Paraguay, particularly in areas of security, counterterrorism, and cybercrime.
“India and Paraguay stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism,” said PM Modi. “There is immense potential for cooperation to fight common challenges like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.”
He also noted the shared values and challenges of the Global South, affirming that India and Paraguay could learn from each other’s experiences and work together for sustainable development.
Reflecting on the pandemic years, PM Modi acknowledged the collaboration during COVID-19:
“We are satisfied that during the COVID pandemic, we were able to share the vaccine made in India with the people of Paraguay.”
Both nations see their partnership as part of a larger push to strengthen South-South cooperation, focusing on areas like healthcare, digital infrastructure, education, and agriculture.
The visit is expected to result in a number of bilateral agreements and strategic partnerships as India continues expanding its engagement with Latin American countries.
President Peña’s visit marks a significant milestone in India–Paraguay relations, showcasing the growing geopolitical importance of mutual cooperation between emerging economies of the Global South.
