India, Paraguay review bilateral ties at first Joint Commission Meeting in Asunción

India and Paraguay held the first meeting of the India-Paraguay Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) in Asunción on November 14, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

The session was co-chaired by Ambassador Víctor Verdún, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, and Shri Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

The meeting saw participation from senior representatives of key Paraguayan ministries, including Education and Sciences, Public Health and Social Welfare, Industry and Commerce, Information and Communication Technologies, and Mines and Energy. Both delegations reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and highlighted the renewed dynamism following the recent state visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios to India. The Indian delegation also welcomed the establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Commission for India in Paraguay’s Chamber of Senators, the MEA said.

During discussions, the delegations addressed a wide range of issues, including political and economic relations, trade and investment, technology, infrastructure, energy, education, health, civil aviation, tourism, space cooperation, sustainable development, and water resource management. Multilateral cooperation and engagement in international forums were also discussed. Both sides identified key priority areas for collaboration, including agriculture, renewable energy (particularly solar), biofuels, cybersecurity, public health, education and technical training, civil aviation, railways, water management, and space initiatives, the foreign ministry added.

The Paraguayan side expressed its willingness to encourage Indian investment in the country and discussed measures to facilitate consular and administrative procedures for Indian businesses. The delegations also reviewed ongoing negotiations on bilateral instruments, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Exchange between India’s Ministry of Culture and Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture for the 2023–2027 period, which is ready for signature.

According to the MEA, Paraguay announced its intention to formalize membership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and to advance its accession to the Framework Agreement for the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), with India offering its support. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all forms and agreed to strengthen cooperation on security and cyber security issues.

The meeting also emphasized strengthening ties between India and MERCOSUR to expand trade and investment, with Paraguay reiterating its willingness to work jointly with India and MERCOSUR member states, recalling the commitment made during President Peña’s June 2025 visit to India.

In view of the upcoming 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, both countries agreed to coordinate commemorative activities. The next session of the Joint Commission will be held in New Delhi on a mutually agreed date, the MEA said.