Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Wednesday, November 4 expressed India's gratitude to the Latin American community for welcoming India as an Associate Observer at the Ibero-American Conference, IANS reported. Margherita delivered India's remarks at the Ministerial Dialogue with Associate and Consultative Observers, hosted by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

In a post on X, Margherita wrote that he was pleased to deliver India's remarks at the dialogue and conveyed India's gratitude to the Latin-American community for welcoming India as an Associate Observer, IANS reported. The Ibero-American Conference brings together 22 member countries, along with 12 Associate Observers and 20 Consultative Observers; the member countries are 19 from Latin America and three from Europe — Spain, Portugal and Andorra — according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

Caribbean outreach on the sidelines

On the sidelines of the summit, Margherita met Noemi Espinoza Madrid, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and discussed India's engagement with the Global South, particularly in the Greater Caribbean region, ANI reported. Margherita had arrived in Madrid to participate in the 30th Ibero-American Conference Summit, where India joined the Conference as an Associate Observer.

Source: ANI via Apna MA TV

The Ministry of External Affairs said Margherita's official visit to Spain runs from November 3 to 5, during which he will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the summit and engage with the Indian community in Madrid. The visit also marks a milestone in the ongoing celebrations of the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence.

Source: ANI / MEA via Daily Prabhat

What happens next: the 30th Summit concludes on November 5. India's Associate Observer status gives New Delhi a standing seat at a forum linking Latin America with Spain and Portugal, deepening India's diplomatic and economic footprint in the Western hemisphere.

Source: Nation Press