India and Latvia enjoy very good bilateral relations, with a great potential for growth in economy and cooperation in multilateral organizations. The opening of the Embassy of India in Latvia last year is proof to the deepening of those relations. During the visit, meetings were held between businesspeople from both countries working in the potential areas of cooperation – information and communication technologies (ICT), space industry, electronics, photonics, green technologies, biomedicine, and other high-value-added sectors. These meetings will be followed up with further research, including how to effectively use the instruments offered by the foreign service.
In a meeting with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže invited him to visit Latvia. The ministers discussed a possible signing of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement and support for that, as well as transatlantic relations.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže: “Latvia and India are united by common democratic values and interests in respect for international law. We had a valuable conversation about achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and constraining Russia. This will affect both the security situation in Europe and the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.”
From 17 to 20 March 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, is in India (Delhi and Bengaluru) for a working visit. Her visit is focused on bilateral relations, global security issues, and the economic cooperation of the European Union and Latvia with India. The agenda included: meetings with senior Indian officials; discussions at the high-level security conference, the Raisina Dialogue 2025; a seminar on NATO and security, Geopolitics, Realities, Synergies, jointly organised by NATO, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation; a business cooperation programme together with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and entrepreneurs representing the ICT, space, and chemical industries – Eventech, Deep Space Energy, PrintyMed, Nordichem, the centre of Certification and Testing, and DeskTime.
SECURITY
- The Raisina Dialogue 2025 is one of the most influential global high-level forums. In the current geopolitical situation, it is important for Latvia to engage in global dialogue about peace and war – both because of the conflicting views and interests, and to refute the lies and disinformation spread by Russia, for which it strategically uses all possible formats and platforms. At the conference panel, The Peace Tableau: Actions and Aspirations, Baiba Braže emphasized: “To achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, any peace settlement must ensure Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia started this war, and Russia must end it. Russia is now seeking to gain influence not only in Europe but across the world, including Asia.”
- With the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže discussed the need to accelerate Ukraine’s European integration process, Ukraine’s most pressing needs, and further actions to constrain Russia.
- The Foreign Minister had a meeting with the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Commerce and Industry, Sri Jitin Prasada.
- Baiba Braže met with the Governor of the state of Karnataka, Thawar Ghand Gehlot, to discuss the deepening of cooperation in the fields of high technology, IT, and innovation.
- At the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore, the Foreign Minister delivered an address on the European and global security.
ECONOMY
- Latvia and India cooperate in the fields of economy, education, culture and art. The way forward with expanding the legal framework between the two countries is currently being considered. Baiba Braže expressed interest in signing a bilateral agreement on higher education and a bilateral cooperation programme in education and science.
- According to the Central Statistical Bureau, Latvia’s total foreign trade turnover with India in 2024 was 371.4 million euros, an increase of 67.2% compared to 2023. Latvia’s exports of goods to India in 2024 amounted to 58.4 million euros, an increase of 26.4% against 2023. Latvian companies are exporting to India, including ICT and pharmaceutical products. Operating in India are the Latvian IT company MicroTic, SAF Tehnika, and JSC Valmieras Stikla šķiedra. The Olaine chemical plant BIOLARS and Olainfarm/Olpha are on the list of largest exporters.
- At the India-Europe Business Exchange organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Baiba Braže presented Latvia’s achievements in the areas of ICT, space industry and innovations.
- With the Federation of European Business in India, Baiba Braže discussed the most important sectors of the Latvian economy, highlighting in particular Latvia’s achievements in high-tech and innovation, sectors holding a great potential for cooperation with India. The federation informed the Minister about the major advantages and challenges of the Indian market and confirmed its readiness to provide support in starting or expanding a business in India.
- While in Bangalore, Baiba Braže, together with a group of Latvian businesses, met with the leadership of the prominent Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), founded in 1969. Representatives of the Latvian space industry presented their achievements and discussed concrete cooperation opportunities. The Minister invited the ISRO to visit Latvia and agree on specific steps for further cooperation.
