Mon Jun 02 07:35:53 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Paraguayan President Santiago Pena Palacios Embarks on Landmark State Visit to India**
**NEW DELHI, June 2, 2025** – President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay arrived in New Delhi today, June 2nd, for his first state visit to India, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. He was given a ceremonial welcome at Palam Air Force Station.
President Pena was greeted by Minister of State Harsh Vardhan Malhotra, signaling the importance India places on this visit. “Bienvenido, President @SantiPenap!” tweeted Randhir Jaiswal from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), emphasizing the opportunity this visit presents to enhance the India-Paraguay relationship.
The three-day visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to deepen ties across political, economic, and cultural fronts. President Pena’s high-level delegation includes ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.
Today, President Pena paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, underscoring the shared values of peace and non-violence between India and Paraguay.
During his stay, President Pena will engage in high-level talks with Prime Minister Modi and other senior Indian leaders to discuss a comprehensive review of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch in his honor, and President Droupadi Murmu is expected to meet with him and host a banquet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are also scheduled to meet the Paraguayan President.
Following his time in Delhi, President Pena will travel to Mumbai to connect with state political figures, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators, and technology leaders.
The visit provides an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. India and Paraguay have enjoyed strong relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1961, with cooperation spanning trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Paraguay is a vital trading partner for India in Latin America, with a notable presence of Indian companies in its automobile and pharmaceutical sectors.
Both countries share common ground on issues such as United Nations reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and the fight against terrorism. The state visit is anticipated to pave the way for even stronger collaboration and mutual growth in the years to come.
First Piper 