In a warm and forward-looking meeting on Thursday, June 19, Latvia’s Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds, welcomed Her Excellency Ms. Namrata Satdeve Kumar, the newly appointed Ambassador of India to Latvia, for an important conversation on the future of cooperation between their two countries.
For Ambassador Kumar, who only took up her post in March, this is the beginning of a new chapter: she is the first Indian ambassador to ever reside in Latvia. Her arrival marks a historic moment in the growing bond between two countries that, while geographically distant, are becoming increasingly connected by shared interests and values. At the heart of the discussions was a shared concern for global and regional security. Minister Sprūds and Ambassador Kumar emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation and vigilance in safeguarding maritime routes and maintaining regional stability.
The meeting also reflected the warmth and trust that has quietly been building between Latvia and India over the past three decades. Diplomatic relations were established in 1991, shortly after Latvia regained its independence. Since then, the relationship has blossomed—marked by cultural exchanges, educational collaboration, technological partnerships, and growing people-to-people connections.
In 2014, Latvia opened its embassy in New Delhi. India responded in kind a decade later by establishing its embassy in Riga in July 2024. Ambassador Kumar’s arrival just a few months later signals India’s clear intent to not only maintain but deepen ties with Latvia and the wider Baltic region. Both Minister Sprūds and Ambassador Kumar expressed optimism about the road ahead. With so much shared ground—democratic values, mutual respect, and a global outlook—it’s clear that Latvia and India are not just strengthening diplomatic ties, but building a lasting partnership.
