India Expands Strategic Partnership with Central American Nations in Digital, Healthcare and Agricultural Sectors

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Fifth India-SICA Foreign Ministers Meeting

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has extended India's expertise to Central American nations in digital payment systems, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture to address common challenges.

During the Fifth India-SICA Foreign Ministers Meeting held on Thursday, he emphasized, "Our countries face similar challenges, of development, poverty alleviation, and climate change, and we can address these more effectively if we address them together".

My opening remarks at the India-SICA Foreign Minister's Meeting in New York. #UNGA80https://t.co/1GJsm1SG1u

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 25, 2025

He stated, "We believe that we can make this partnership one of tangible outcomes which will contribute to a more inclusive, balanced and multipolar world order".

"We would certainly like to move forward in the digital area, in renewable energy, in food and health security, and in climate action," he further added.

The Central American Integration System, known as SICA from its Spanish name, consists of eight member countries working towards regional economic and political integration.

Delighted to co-host the India-SICA Foreign Minister's Meeting along with FM @javierachapma of Panama in New York today.SICA is a key partner in our framework of South-South cooperation. Building on the momentum of the 2023 dialogue in Panama City, we look forward to advancing… pic.twitter.com/hxQ8F5LpeS

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 25, 2025

India's ministerial-level engagement with the group began in 2004.

Jaishankar noted that cooperation between India and SICA has significantly deepened as they jointly made progress in addressing challenges such as post-pandemic recovery, energy security, digital transformation, development financing, and climate change.

He highlighted India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has "had great success in ensuring a seamless, real-time, and secure method of transferring funds."

"Today, more than half the world's cashless payments in the world take place in India because of this" system, he pointed out.

He mentioned that India's private sector is showing interest in investing in SICA countries, particularly in agriculture, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and IT, which are "sectors where India has been historically very strong."

In the global fight against climate change, "many of our companies have developed a footprint in these three areas - solar, green hydrogen and bioenergy -- across the world," he said, highlighting additional areas for potential cooperation.

Jaishankar recalled that during the Covid pandemic, India strengthened regional bonds by supplying vaccines and expressed India's readiness to collaborate with SICA to enhance public health systems and support affordable healthcare.

When SICA countries experienced widespread infrastructure damage from storms last year, India promptly delivered essential medicines, relief materials, and emergency aid "as a gesture of solidarity," he added.