India–Bolivia Bilateral Meeting in Brazil

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the President of Bolivia, Luis Arce Catacora, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where both leaders reviewed the bilateral relationship, with a focus on critical minerals, digital infrastructure, and development cooperation.

India–Bolivia Bilateral Cooperation:

Bolivia is a key partner for India in Latin America, especially in the critical minerals sector, such as lithium, vital for India’s green energy and battery ecosystem.
India and Bolivia are expanding cooperation in areas such as:
- Trade and commerce
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) including UPI
- Health and pharmaceuticals, including traditional medicine
- SMEs, training, and capacity-building

Critical Minerals Focus:

Bolivia is part of the "Lithium Triangle" (with Chile and Argentina), holding one of the world's largest reserves of lithium, essential for EV batteries and energy storage systems.
India aims to reduce dependence on China for rare earths and critical minerals by building ties with resource-rich nations like Bolivia.

Development Cooperation Instruments:

India supports Bolivia via:
- Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for local development.
- ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program for training and scholarships.

Solidarity and Diplomacy:

- PM Modi expressed solidarity over Bolivia’s March–April 2025 floods, reinforcing India’s humanitarian diplomacy.
- PM also congratulated Bolivia on the bicentennial (200 years) of independence (6 August 2025).
- Bolivia's joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) reflects convergence on climate action and solar energy transition.