Close And Friendly Ties Underpin Our Cooperation: PM Modi Congratulates Bolivia’s New President Rodrigo Paz Pereira

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his congratulations to Rodrigo Paz Pereira for winning the presidential elections in Bolivia, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations in the coming years.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Warm congratulations, Mr. Rodrigo Paz Pereira, on your election as the President of Bolivia. Close and friendly ties between India and Bolivia have long underpinned our mutually beneficial cooperation. I look forward to deepening our partnership for shared progress and prosperity in the years to come.”

According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s Preliminary Results System, 58-year-old Pereira emerged victorious in the presidential runoff election held on Sunday, securing 54.53 per cent of the vote, while his rival, former president Jorge ‘Tuto’ Quiroga, garnered 45.44 per cent.

His triumph marks the end of two decades of left-wing rule in Bolivia and ushers in a new political chapter for the South American nation, Xinhua reported.

Paz is set to take office on November 8 for a five-year term from 2025 to 2030.

Reports indicate that the newly elected president will inherit a challenging economic situation, with fuel shortages, fiscal deficits, and a foreign exchange crunch caused by falling international reserves.

India–Bolivia Relations Strengthen

India and Bolivia have shared warm and cooperative relations, underpinned by growing exchanges in trade, investment, and development cooperation, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Both sides are focusing on expanding collaboration in minerals, infrastructure, health, pharmaceuticals, IT, and capacity building.

India established its resident Mission in La Paz in September 2024, while Bolivia has maintained an embassy in New Delhi since 2012.

In September 2024, India extended Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Bolivia following devastating forest fires, with a formal handover ceremony held in February 2025.

Earlier, in August 2020, India provided 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines, including 300,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets and protective medical equipment, to help Bolivia combat the pandemic.

Bolivia, a beneficiary of India’s development assistance, continues to seek deeper cooperation under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which offers 10 training slots annually.

Bolivian professionals have participated in ITEC’s specialised courses on pandemic policy, infection prevention, and knowledge exchange, further strengthening the foundation of India–Bolivia relations.

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