India-CELAC bilateral trade surpasses $50 billion

Bilateral trade between India and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has surpassed $50 billion for the 2025-26 period. This milestone was highlighted during a meeting of foreign ministers held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the meeting alongside Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin. The session included representatives from 30 of the 33 CELAC member nations. Participants discussed strengthening trade and development partnerships, promoting multilateralism to address global challenges, and increasing political dialogue and people-to-people contact.

To ensure sustained progress, both parties agreed to work toward establishing an institutional mechanism to regularly review bilateral activities, agreements, and new opportunities for cooperation. Additionally, CELAC members expressed appreciation for India’s immediate humanitarian assistance provided to Jamaica, Venezuela, and Colombia following earthquakes in 2025 and 2026.