Rio de Janeiro: On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held significant bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Bolivia and Uruguay, focusing on deepening cooperation across diverse sectors and reinforcing India’s growing engagement with Latin America.
Strengthening India-Bolivia Relations
Prime Minister Modi met with the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, His Excellency Luis Arce Catacora. The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the bilateral partnership, expressing satisfaction with the progress made in recent years.
A key highlight of the discussion was cooperation in the area of critical minerals, a sector of strategic importance for both countries. The leaders acknowledged the substantial potential for collaboration in this field and discussed ways to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Bolivia’s rich reserves of lithium and other rare earth elements are seen as vital for India’s clean energy and electric mobility ambitions.
The talks also covered a broad spectrum of areas including trade and commerce, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Unified Payments Interface (UPI), pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, small and medium enterprises, training, and capacity-building initiatives.
Both sides welcomed the success of ongoing development cooperation, particularly through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which provides scholarships and training opportunities for Bolivian nationals.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his solidarity with the people of Bolivia in light of the devastating floods that affected La Paz and other parts of the country earlier this year. He extended heartfelt condolences and assured India’s support in recovery efforts.
Additionally, PM Modi congratulated Bolivia for its decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA)—a move that aligns with India’s global initiative to promote solar energy and sustainable development.
He also conveyed his warm wishes to the government and people of Bolivia on the country’s bicentennial celebrations, marking 200 years of independence to be observed on August 6, 2025.
Expanding India-Uruguay Cooperation
In another high-level engagement, Prime Minister Modi met with the President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, His Excellency Yamandú Orsi.
The meeting underscored both nations’ shared commitment to a forward-looking bilateral partnership, with wide-ranging discussions covering cooperation in digital technology, defence, health, energy, and trade.
The leaders discussed opportunities to expand collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), particularly India’s globally recognized UPI digital payment system, as well as the broader ICT sector.
Both nations expressed interest in harnessing technology to foster innovation and inclusivity in governance and public services.
Cooperation in defence, railways, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, culture, and people-to-people exchanges also featured prominently in the dialogue.
The leaders identified trade and investment as a key priority, and emphasized the need to build upon existing synergies to unlock greater economic potential.
A major focus was the potential expansion of the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The leaders agreed that a broader agreement could lead to enhanced market access, reduced trade barriers, and greater integration between India and South America’s largest trading bloc.
Prime Minister Modi thanked President Orsi for condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and for standing in solidarity with India in the global fight against terrorism.
Uruguay’s strong and unequivocal stance was appreciated by the Indian delegation, reflecting shared values and mutual respect between the two democracies.
A Strengthened Partnership with Latin America
Both meetings reaffirmed India’s growing strategic and economic ties with Latin America, a region of increasing importance in India’s foreign policy.
The interactions at the BRICS Summit reflect New Delhi’s proactive engagement and its intention to build sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships across continents.
Prime Minister Modi’s meetings with the Presidents of Bolivia and Uruguay are expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations, particularly in green energy, digital transformation, and inclusive development.
The discussions further underscore India’s global outreach efforts, positioning it as a collaborative partner committed to shared growth and resilience.
As the BRICS Summit continues, these high-level engagements highlight India’s broader goal of strengthening South-South cooperation and building a more interconnected and prosperous Global South.
