India Expands Caribbean Outreach Through High-Level Madrid Talks

India's Pabitra Margherita meets ACS Secretary General Noemí Espinoza Madrid in Spain to discuss engagement with the Global South and the Greater Caribbean region.

India is looking to strengthen its engagement with the Caribbean region through closer diplomatic and multilateral cooperation, with Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita discussing opportunities for collaboration with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) leadership during a meeting in Madrid, Spain.

Margherita met Noemí Espinoza Madrid, Secretary General of the ACS. The discussions focused on India's engagement with the Global South, particularly the Greater Caribbean region. Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Margherita said the conversation centred on expanding India's engagement with countries in the region.

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The meeting reflects India's broader efforts to deepen partnerships with developing countries and strengthen cooperation with regional organisations. The Greater Caribbean region holds importance for India's diplomatic and economic outreach, offering opportunities for collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, development and multilateral engagement.

Margherita's meeting with the ACS chief took place during his official visit to Spain from November 2 to 5. He travelled to Madrid to participate in the 30th Ibero-American Conference Summit, where India is set to join the conference as an Associate Observer. The forum brings together 22 member countries, along with 12 Associate Observers and 20 Consultative Observers.

Alongside his engagements with regional representatives, the minister also met business representatives from Spain's textile and tourism sectors. The discussions explored opportunities to strengthen India-Spain cooperation in textile trade, sourcing, manufacturing, sustainable textiles, investment and tourism. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections between the two countries.

The interaction with Spanish business representatives forms part of India's efforts to expand commercial partnerships and encourage greater engagement between industries. Cooperation in sustainable textiles and manufacturing could also create opportunities for businesses to explore sourcing arrangements, investment and technology collaboration.

During his visit, Margherita also paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Madrid. He highlighted Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence, describing their continued relevance in promoting peace and harmony.

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According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the visit also marks a milestone in the ongoing India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence celebrations. The minister is expected to hold additional bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the summit and interact with members of the Indian community in Madrid.

The engagements reflect India's parallel focus on strengthening relations with Spain, expanding its presence in multilateral forums and developing closer partnerships with Caribbean countries through regional institutions.