“We are committed to strengthening our country’s economic diplomacy, with a strong focus on Asia, and in particular, India.”
As Foreign Minister, how will your approach reflect a balance between national interest and global responsibility -especially in areas like climate change, peace, and sustainable development?
Historically, Uruguay has been strongly committed to the multilateral system and international cooperation. We believe that only through constructive dialogue and joint action can we address the many global challenges we face, including major environmental issues, with the aim of advancing toward sustainable development without leaving anyone behind.
Specifically in the area of climate change, Uruguay has a National Climate Change Policy (PNCC), which serves as a strategic framework for the short, medium, and long term. This policy seeks to contribute to the country’s sustainable development with a global perspective, grounded in intra- and intergenerational equity and human rights, aiming to build a more resilient society—less vulnerable and better equipped to adapt to climate change and variability.
Uruguay is a strong advocate of multilateralism and of the central role of the United Nations in maintaining the international order. Throughout its history, our country has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. In particular, we deeply value the United Nations peacekeeping system, in which we have actively participated for decades. As a nation, Uruguay has been known as a conciliatory actor, a promoter of understanding, and a builder of bridges between divergent positions, always defending the peaceful resolution of disputes as a guiding principle of our foreign policy.
What are the top foreign policy priorities your ministry is focusing on to ensure Uruguay’s global economic integration?
In an international context marked by geopolitical and trade tensions, Uruguay faces the challenge of deepening its integration into the global arena. For Uruguay, MERCOSUR is our natural platform for international insertion.
Having a successful international integration strategy is key to improving the well-being and development prospects of MERCOSUR and its population. In this regard, Uruguay will continue to promote an ambitious strategy of international economic integration. This strategy aims to consolidate the progress achieved, while also recognizing the need for greater openness to effectively integrate into global value chains. Most importantly, it is essential to secure preferential access to the world’s most dynamic economies.
Uruguay will continue to promote external negotiations because we believe that it is by opening up to the world that MERCOSUR can achieve its goals. This is a core principle of MERCOSUR, and Uruguay relies on MERCOSUR as a tool for integration into both the region and the wider world.
In addition, Uruguay will continue working to enhance the free trade area among MERCOSUR Member States, facilitate trade, and ensure the smooth movement of goods and people. Overall, closing infrastructure gaps, further reducing trade barriers, and adopting policies that make MERCOSUR an attractive destination for investment are fundamental to Uruguay’s broader global economic integration.
How do you envision the future of Uruguay – India relations under the newly formed government of March 2025?
Firstly, diplomatic relations between Uruguay and India are excellent. Uruguay has maintained a resident Embassy in New Delhi since 1998, while India currently represents its diplomatic mission to Uruguay through its Embassy in Buenos Aires. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi has announced the upcoming opening of an Indian Embassy in Uruguay.
Both countries are stable and consolidated democracies, united by a shared vision of the importance of citizen participation and respect for human and civil rights. In this regard, we acknowledge India’s example as the world’s largest democracy, with a population of approximately 1.4 billion people and an electoral roll of over 969 million voters.
Uruguay and India maintain regular bilateral dialogue, reflecting a mutual commitment to strengthening and deepening political, economic–commercial, and cooperative ties.
During the bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro this past July between President of the Republic Mr. Yamandú Orsi and Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, both leaders exchanged proposals and ideas regarding the potential to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment, as well as to consolidate partnerships in key sectors such as services, information and communication technologies, logistics, agriculture, and energy.
A key aspect of the cordial exchange was the mutual recognition of the importance of expanding the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
This bilateral meeting marked an initial step toward deepening and enriching the bilateral relationship between the two countries, promoting—on the basis of shared values—a common vision for the development of both nations and the regions to which they belong. Notably, in 2026, Uruguay will hold the Presidency of CELAC and India the Presidency of BRICS, offering additional opportunities to lead greater engagement and dialogue between India and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Furthermore, Uruguay and India share a strong commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations system, as well as an enduring dedication to peace, reflected in their active participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Based on these shared perspectives, cooperation and exchange between Uruguay and India come naturally. Both countries participate in MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force – Golan Heights). Since 1952, Uruguay has contributed approximately 50,000 personnel, including military and police, to various missions, while India has deployed around 200,000 personnel since 1957, making both nations recognized leaders in international stability and security.
How is your Ministry planning to attract foreign investment and expand bilateral trade, especially with Asian economies like India?
We are committed to strengthening our country’s economic diplomacy, with a strong focus on Asia, and in particular, India. We recognize that our future prosperity depends on the diversification of markets and the deepening of ties with dynamic economies beyond our traditional partners.
To this end, we are reinforcing our bilateral frameworks. Uruguay and India have long maintained friendly relations, supported by the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement and other bilateral treaties. However, we understand that formal agreements are just the beginning. That is why we are intensifying our diplomatic engagement with India through regular consultations and high-level meetings, where we explore concrete opportunities in sectors such as wool, wood, and potentially renewable energy.
It is also worth highlighting Indian investments in our country, which we hope will continue to grow. Currently, around seven Indian-capital companies operate in Uruguay, including Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and Infogain. Uruguay already offers a safe investment environment, an attractive and stable legal system, and a regulatory and institutional framework that meets the needs of investors.
Nevertheless, to establish an even stronger foundation, negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement were resumed in 2020, and we are pleased to report that the Ministry of Economy and Finance is making steady progress.
We have multiple successful experiences. For example, the Indian state-owned company RITES Ltd., which specializes in consulting and implementing large-scale infrastructure projects in the transport sector, made an official visit to Uruguay in July. The delegation met with national and regional government representatives as well as specialized agencies. Discussions focused on exploring potential areas of cooperation aligned with Uruguay’s national and local development plans for transport and infrastructure—including sustainable urban mobility, railway transportation, and port modernization. We consider the outcome of the visit to be very positive: the company expressed strong interest in future projects in Uruguay, and Uruguayan authorities acknowledged the value of RITES’s international expertise.
We are developing a proactive, forward-looking strategy to position Uruguay as a reliable partner for trade and investment in Asia. India plays a central role in our vision to strengthen South–South cooperation, to the benefit of our economies and societies.
In addition, we have increased our presence in Asia through participation in regional cooperation mechanisms, such as ASEAN. Our recent accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation brings us closer to the 675 million consumers of Southeast Asia and strengthens our diplomatic and economic bridges with the region.
What international economic challenges and opportunities do you foresee for Uruguay, and how is your Ministry preparing to navigate them?
From our perspective, Uruguay stands at a crossroads in international affairs. On one hand, the global environment is complex—marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting and unpredictable trade dynamics, and emerging protectionist trends. On the other hand, we see enormous opportunities for a country like ours: respected for its stability, security, transparency, and commitment to sustainable development.
One of our main opportunities lies in the expansion of our international markets. We remain firmly convinced that trade—anchored first in the GATT, and since the Uruguay Round, in the WTO—has been, continues to be, and can remain a driver of sustainable development, promoting peace and shared prosperity among nations. That is the spirit that drives us as a country.
For most of the past 75 years, these foundational principles have served as the cornerstones of international trade, ushering in an era of unprecedented economic growth and a steady rise in global living standards. In an increasingly interdependent world, where global challenges cannot be tackled in isolation, these principles remain as important as ever.
In the 21st century, Uruguay reaffirms its commitment to these ideals, maintaining our long-standing identity as a trustworthy nation with a welcoming business environment—a country where transparency, financial freedom, and the rule of law continue to be fundamental.