India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has officially opened the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic during his first official visit to the country. He highlighted that the establishment of the embassy marked a new phase of bilateral cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic, as New Delhi expands its footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean. The embassy was officially established in Santo Domingo in 2022, and Jaishankar’s visit marks the first high-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999.
Speaking at the event, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the relationship between India and the Dominican Republic, stating that the two countries will take their cooperation to still greater levels. He also stressed that at a time when India is increasing its presence in the Latin American region, the Dominican Republic is viewed as one of its key partners, and the relationship will not only have bilateral significance but would have a larger regional contribution as well.
During a business event, Jaishankar highlighted India’s increased interest in Latin America, reflected in the enhanced political contacts and growing trade and investments in energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, mining, and IT in the region. The trade deal between the two countries has almost reached USD 1 billion from USD 12 million before diplomatic relations were established, with much of the trade being in pharmaceuticals, marine products, two and three-wheelers, iron and steel, gold, and paper and paper products. The government is also engaged in stepping up economic cooperation efforts.
Jaishankar concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of expanding and accelerating the area of cooperation between the two countries. The joint economic and trade cooperation mechanism is expected to become a platform for regular meetings, addressing economic and business cooperation opportunities between India and the Dominican Republic. He also mentioned India’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2023, stating that India is deeply committed to promoting collective solutions for global good, with a focus on real challenges to global development and growth.