India – Mexico Relations

Basics 

• Capital: Mexico City
• Borders Countries: United States of America,Guatemala, Belize to the southeast.
• Maritime Boundaries: Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Areas of Cooperation

1. Historical Background
   • Diplomatic Ties: Formally established in 1950.
   • Early Cooperation: Both countries were part of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and supported each other on global platforms.
   • UN Collaboration: India and Mexico have cooperated closely in multilateral organizations like the UN.
2. Political Relations
   • High-Level Visits: Visits by Indian Prime Ministers (Indira Gandhi in 1981 and Narendra Modi in 2016) and Mexican Presidents have strengthened ties.
   • Strategic Partnership: Elevated to a Privileged Partnership in 2007, focusing on political, economic, and cultural areas.
   • Multilateral Forums: Both nations collaborate at forums like G20 and COP meetings.
3. Economic Relations
   • Bilateral Trade: Trade increased from USD 6 billion in 2019 to over USD 10 billion in recent years, making Mexico India’s largest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil.
   • Major Exports to Mexico: Automobiles (Tata Motors, Bajaj), Pharmaceuticals (Sun Pharma), IT services (Infosys, TCS).
   • Major Imports from Mexico: Crude oil, chemicals and electronic goods.
   • Mexican Investments in India: Companies like Cinepolis (cinema chain) and Grupo Bimbo (food processing) operate in India.
   • Free Trade Advocacy: Discussions on enhancing trade agreements for better market access.
4. Cultural and Educational Cooperation
   • Cultural Diplomacy: Events like the Festival of India in Mexico and opening of cultural centers have promoted Indian culture.
   • Growing popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda: The International Day of Yoga is celebrated widely in Mexico.
   • Educational Ties: Scholarships and exchange programs between Indian and Mexican universities.
5. Science and Technology
   • Collaboration in Space: Cooperation between ISRO and Mexico’s space agency on satellite development and remote sensing.
   • Joint Research Projects: Partnerships in fields like biotechnology and renewable energy.
6. Energy Cooperation
   • Oil Imports: Mexico is a key supplier of crude oil to India.
   • Renewable Energy: Collaboration on solar energy projects under the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Challenges

• Trade Barriers: High tariffs and regulatory issues hinder greater economic engagement.
• Distance and Logistics: Long geographical distance affects trade and people-to-people exchanges.