India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, made his first-ever official visit to Nicaragua, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is the first ministerial-level visit from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (March 6-8, 2025), to the Central American nation Nicaragua, and it sets the stage for deeper bilateral cooperation.

During his visit, Minister Margherita held a series of discussions with senior Nicaraguan officials, including Laureano Ortega Murillo, Minister Advisor to the President, and Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke. The talks mostly centered around advancing cooperation in trade, investment, and renewable energy, with both nations showing keen interest in furthering their economic ties.

Trade and Investment

One of the main topics of discussion was boosting economic engagement, with both India and Nicaragua expressing their intent to expand trade and investment opportunities. India, with its diverse economy, sees potential in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and renewable energy in Nicaragua. In return, Nicaragua hopes to attract Indian investment, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and technology, to help further its economic development goals.

Minister Margherita highlighted India’s readiness to support Nicaragua through collaborative projects and partnerships, particularly in sectors that align with both nations’ developmental priorities.

Renewable Energy Cooperation

Both India and Nicaragua are committed to advancing renewable energy, a sector seen as crucial for sustainable growth in both nations. Nicaragua, known for its expertise in renewable energy, offers opportunities for collaboration with India in areas such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy. India, with its extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar energy, is looking to deepen cooperation with Nicaragua to achieve common sustainability goals.

India’s Development Partnership with Nicaragua

In addition to trade and investment discussions, Minister Margherita visited the Central Bank of Nicaragua, where he met President Leonardo Ovidio Reyes Ramirez and other senior officials. The meeting reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Nicaragua through India’s Development Partnership, which includes technical assistance and funding for various development projects.

Broader Diplomatic Context

This visit is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen its engagement with Latin America, a region that has traditionally been underrepresented in India’s foreign policy focus. Nicaragua, in turn, is seeking to diversify its international partnerships and is looking to India as a key partner in its developmental plans.

Challenges

While both sides are optimistic about the future of their relationship, challenges remain, particularly due to Nicaragua’s internal political dynamics. And, also the logistical barriers posed by the geographical distance between the two nations. Nevertheless, the visit marks a positive step toward deepening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation.

Historic Step in Bilateral Relations

The March 2025 visit serves as a testament to the growing ties between India and Nicaragua, highlighting mutual interests in trade, investment, and sustainable development. Both nations are set to continue building on the discussions held during the visit, which are expected to result in concrete steps toward enhanced cooperation in the near future.