India and Latin America

Abstract

For too long, indeed throughout the period since its Independence, India's relations with Latin America have been rather remote politically and economically as well as culturally. That there are large Indian communities in the Caribbean has not had any significant influence over India's policy. Although a good many countries of Latin America are enthusiastic about contemporary Indian developments, both domestic and international, as well as about India's art, culture, and philosophy, India's interest in Latin America still amounts to little more than curiosity. Political relations between India and the countries of Latin America have never reached a stage where serious and sustained discussions or careful diplomacy would have been necessary to ensure their friendliness. Occasionally some diplomats and business men have undoubtedly emphasized the complementary nature of India and a number of countries in Latin America, but India's economic interests in and trade ties with those countries have been woefully limited.