Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios will pay a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from June 2 to 4. This will be Pena’s first visit to India and marks only the second-ever visit by a Paraguayan President to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
During his visit, Pena is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi on June 2 in New Delhi. The discussions will focus on reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations, covering key sectors such as trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Prime Minister Modi is also set to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary, the MEA said.
He is expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host a ceremonial banquet in his honour. Pena will also be called on by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, the MEA added.
The Paraguayan President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. His itinerary includes a visit to Mumbai before returning to Paraguay on June 4.
In Mumbai, President Pena is scheduled to meet Maharashtra’s political leadership and engage with key representatives from the business, industry, start-up, and technology sectors.
India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on 13 September 1961 and have since enjoyed warm and friendly ties. The two countries have developed strong cooperation in various sectors and share common positions on numerous global issues, including United Nations reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and the fight against terrorism.
Paraguay has emerged as an important trading partner for India in the Latin American region. Several Indian companies, particularly in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors, operate in Paraguay. Likewise, Paraguayan firms—often through joint ventures—have a presence in India, contributing to the strengthening of economic relations.