Colombia-India bilateral relations reflect opportunities and collaboration in view of present geo-strategic developments in global politics. Colombia and India have strengthened and diversified their relationship in various areas of mutual interest, including political, commercial, technological and cultural fields. Both nations established diplomatic relations in 1959 and have continued to maintain friendly and cordial ties. In recent years, both nations have actively promoted bilateral trade and investment through various initiatives such as organizing trade events, facilitating business meetings between Indian and Colombian companies, and participating in flagship fairs and events in each other’s nations. Both nations have also exchanged high-level visits and held consultations to enhance cooperation in areas like trade, energy, and technology.
If India is the voice of the global south and a global leader, Colombia serves as a connection point between South America (including Brazil and Argentina), Central America, and the Caribbean. With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Colombia is positioned to be a strategic location for Indian investments due to its participation in regional free trade agreements. Considering the future, both nations have placed a strong emphasis on bolstering their trade and investment interactions. This has been achieved through a series of targeted initiatives, including the organization of trade events, facilitating business-to-business meetings, and actively participating in each other’s flagship fairs and events. These efforts have contributed to the steady growth of bilateral trade and economic engagement between Colombia and India.
Furthermore, high-level visits and consultations have played a pivotal role in fortifying cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, and technology. By leveraging these engagements, both nations have sought to identify areas of mutual benefit and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. The exchange of expertise and resources has been instrumental in driving progress and facilitating a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths and priorities.
Colombia and India have also emerged as partners in the defence domain. Both have been working together to strengthen their defence ties since the signing of a Defence Cooperation Agreement in February 2009. This agreement led to the establishment of a Joint Defence Committee, with its first meeting taking place in Bogota. The ongoing collaboration has encompassed various areas such as military training, information exchange, and defence industry partnerships. Recently, both nations held three virtual conferences in September 2022 to explore joint exercises focusing on peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism efforts, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. Through these discussions, Colombia expressed keen interest in learning from India’s experiences and expertise by engaging in activities like exchanging mobile training teams and participating in tailor-made courses at Indian universities for capacity-building purposes.
Both nations are also engaged in advanced space cooperation. On November 29, 2018, ISRO effectively sent the FACSAT 1 satellite to the Colombian Air Force as a component of the PSLV-C43/Hysis mission. This marked a significant milestone in India-Colombia relations and showcased India’s expertise in space science. Additionally, two Colombian officers participated in training at ISRO facilities in India from October to December 2019 through UNNATI (UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training by ISRO). In 2021, the Department of Space and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Government of Colombia signed an MoU for collaboration in exploring outer space for peaceful purposes. A Joint Working Group (JWG) was established between India and Colombia on April 7, 2022. ISRO experts took part virtually in Geomatic Week organized by Colombia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as the Agustin Codazzi Geographical Institute on June 16, 2022 to demonstrate India’s expertise in spatial and geospatial technologies while proposing potential areas for cooperation with Colombian authorities.
Cultural cooperation has also played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations between Colombia and India.Indian culture has played a pivotal role in strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations, which has resulted in enhanced bilateral ties. Indian festivals are very popular in Colombia. Yoga is another cultural element that has connected the two nations. Yoga has gained significant popularity in Colombia, leading to the establishment of numerous yoga institutes that regularly conduct classes. Since January 2016, yoga teachers deputed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have been active within the mission. Taking advantage of their availability, the mission has arranged lectures, conferences, and presentations on yoga and Indian culture, as well as offered yoga classes to various groups such as the general public, diplomatic corps, corporate sector representatives, and embassy officials. Additionally, the mission has coordinated yoga instructor diploma courses at Externado University and Piloto University in Colombia. The Mission celebrates International Day of Yoga in multiple cities across Colombia, with over 10,000 participants engaging in various events organized by both the mission itself and in collaboration with local yoga institutes and municipalities.
The exchange of technological know-how has led to advancements in sectors such as renewable energy and information technology, further strengthening bilateral ties. It is evident that the cooperation between Colombia and India extends beyond trade and investment, as both nations recognize the importance of fostering cultural exchange and people-to-people connections. The joint efforts in promoting people-to-people contacts through exchanges, language programs, and tourism initiatives have also contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage and traditions. Both nations are also elevating their partnership in the defence and security domains.
The positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Colombia and India is evident in the significant advancements across diverse sectors. The synergy between the two nations has fostered constructive dialogue and cooperation, leading to notable achievements in areas of political alignment, commercial partnerships, and cultural exchanges. Together, they have laid the groundwork for a robust and mutually beneficial relationship that continues to thrive. Overall, the bilateral relations between Colombia and India have been positive and have witnessed significant progress in various fields, including political, commercial, and cultural cooperation.
