In a significant display of diplomatic engagement, Shri Pabitra Margherita, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, embarked on a four-nation tour from February 28 to March 8, 2025, visiting Uruguay, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Nicaragua. This marked a historic first for India as MoS(PM) paid an official visit to each country separately.
During his visits, Margherita represented India at several high-level events, including the swearing-in ceremony of President H.E. Yamandú Orsi in Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 1, 2025. He also met with the incoming Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mining to strengthen bilateral ties.
The visit to The Bahamas was notable as it marked MoS(PM)'s first standalone bilateral ministerial-level visit from India. Margherita engaged with Prime Minister Philip Davis, Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Education, among others, to foster stronger economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
In Barbados, Margherita received the "Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados" award, a gesture of appreciation for his strategic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also met with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Health, and Minister of Culture to explore avenues for cooperation in areas such as health, education, and culture.
The visit to Nicaragua saw MoS(PM) engage with senior government officials, including the President, Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke, and other ministers, to discuss bilateral ties and areas of mutual interest. Margherita also appreciated the contributions of the Indian diaspora in strengthening relations between India and these countries.
This tour reinforced India's commitment to deepening bilateral ties with the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The visits provided opportunities for MoS(PM) to follow up on the roadmap outlined for engagements with LAC by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. By engaging with government officials, cultural leaders, and the Indian diaspora, Margherita aimed to promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen economic cooperation between India and these nations.
The historic nature of MoS(PM)'s visits underscores the significance of India's engagement in the LAC region. As the tour concluded on March 8, 2025, the message from New Delhi is clear: India remains committed to nurturing strong and multifaceted ties with its neighbors in the Americas.