This article covers cultural relations between India and Bolivia, the Indian Embassy's cultural programme, education links and the Indian community in Bolivia. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026.

Cultural Exchange Program

During her visit to New Delhi, Foreign Minister of Bolivia Ms Celinda Sosa Lunda signed a Cultural Exchange Program for 2025-2027 on 20 March 2025 with India's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The brief also records that a 3-member cultural troupe from India, led by the sitar player Pandit Debajit Chakraborty, was to visit Bolivia from 4-9 August 2025 to take part in the Bicentenary celebrations in Sucre and perform in other cities.

Nataraj statue in Sucre

On 27 September 2025, Ambassador Rohit Vadhwana and the Mayor of Sucre, Dr. Enrique Leaño Palenque, unveiled a statue of Nataraj at the Ambassadors' Walk in Sucre. The brief describes the Ambassadors' Walk as a place where flags and cultural symbols offered by nations with a diplomatic presence in Bolivia are displayed as gifts to the people of Sucre.

A bronze statue has been commissioned by ICCR for the site. According to the brief, the Mission has installed a locally made statue until the bronze statue arrives.

Mahatma Gandhi

As of June 2026 there are two busts of Mahatma Gandhi in Bolivia: one in La Paz, installed on 31 August 2021, and one in Santa Cruz. ICCR has provided 3 more Gandhi busts, which the brief says will be installed in due course.

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was marked in Bolivia with a rendition of the bhajan "Vaishnav Jan To" by the popular Andean group WARA. On 2 October 2025 the Embassy organised its first ever ceremony for Gandhi Jayanti, at Mallasa Park in La Paz, in the presence of the Vice Mayor of Mallasa and senior dignitaries from the Municipality of La Paz.

On that occasion the Ambassador wrote an article that was published in 4 leading Bolivian newspapers, and a tree planting drive was held under the "EkPedMaaKeNaam" campaign. WARA also played a video recording of the song "Vaishnava Jana" at its concert at the Alberto Saavedra Pérez Municipal Theatre, a historic theatre in La Paz.

Festivals, language and film

The brief lists the following events organised by the Embassy:

  • Navratri: Garba-Dandia events in three cities, Cochabamba, Oruro and La Paz
  • Holi: an event organised with the Dil Deewana group on 8 April
  • Janmashtami: a celebration on 24 August 2025
  • Diwali: celebrations in La Paz and Cochabamba
  • Hindi Diwas (14 September) and Vishwa Hindi Diwas (10 January): celebrations with language enthusiasts, including Hindi songs and dance performances
  • Yoga Day: yoga sessions at locations including Isla del Sol (Sun Island), Tiwanaku, Cochabamba and La Paz

The brief records that over 100 Bolivians took part in the Holi and Janmashtami events. The Mission has started free Hindi classes, held virtually. The Embassy also organises screenings of Bollywood movies dubbed in Spanish in various cities of Bolivia.

The Embassy took part in events organised by local authorities, including Pedestrian Day on 7 September, a Cultural Event of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on 13 September, and the gastronomy event "Sabores Del Mundo 2025" held by the Municipality of La Paz on 4 October.

Education

The brief records university-to-university collaboration between Ahmedabad University and UTEPSA (Universidad Tecnologica Privada de Santa Cruz) in Santa Cruz for academic and institutional cooperation.

Loyola University, a private university in La Paz, in cooperation with the Ministry of AYUSH, started offering a Diploma in Ayurveda for Bolivian students from 2026.

The Indian community

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, the Indian community in Bolivia, including PIOs, is small in number: around 60, as per data available with the Mission.