NEW DELHI: In a move reflecting growing South-South cooperation, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met with Panama’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carlos Arturo Hoyos, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two leaders reviewed the expanding scope of bilateral ties and discussed deeper collaboration across trade, technology, and multilateral diplomacy.
Margherita extended India’s full support to Panama ahead of its upcoming Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the importance of coordinated leadership from the Global South on matters of peace, security, and development.
“Delighted to meet Vice Minister Carlos Hoyos of Panama. Reviewed progress in India-Panama relations. Conveyed our best wishes and support for Panama’s forthcoming UNSC Presidency,” Margherita posted on X after the meeting.
According to a statement by Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister Hoyos is in India on an official mission to boost economic ties, particularly in infrastructure, energy, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. A key focus is exploring the establishment of an India-backed pharmaceutical hub in Panama — a step that would position the Central American country as a regional medical supply node and deepen India’s healthcare outreach in Latin America.
Hoyos’ itinerary includes high-level meetings with India’s Ministries of External Affairs and Commerce, engagements with the International Solar Alliance, visits to the Indian Institute of Technology, and discussions with private sector leaders in the logistics and renewable energy sectors.
This visit follows increased diplomatic momentum between the two countries. In May, Panama hosted an Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor. The delegation met President José Raúl Mulino and other senior officials at the Presidential Palace in Panama City. At a reception organized by Indian Ambassador Sumit Seth, Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez and Vice Minister Hoyos voiced unequivocal support for India’s stance against terrorism — particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
“Our trip ended with a spectacular reception hosted by Ambassador Seth… Panama’s Foreign Minister and Vice-Minister both spoke in strong sympathy for India, expressing support for our fight against terrorism and the deepening of bilateral cooperation,” Tharoor noted in a social media post.
With Panama’s strategic location as a transcontinental trade hub and India’s expanding footprint in Latin America, officials on both sides view the current momentum as an opportunity to build long-term partnerships in trade, energy, education, and multilateral engagement.
-WNN Desk
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