This article covers the political relationship between India and El Salvador: high-level visits in both directions, the Foreign Office Consultations, and cooperation in regional and multilateral settings, including the Central American Integration System (SICA). It is based on the MEA brief of May 2026.
Overview
According to the MEA brief of May 2026, bilateral relations between the two countries have "witnessed steady growth in recent years, with increasing political engagement and high-level exchanges". The brief states that President Nayib Bukele has conveyed support for India's growing global role, and that El Salvador has consistently supported India in multilateral fora.
Visit of Minister of State Pabitra Margherita, August 2024
Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, visited El Salvador from 19-20 August 2024. The brief describes this as the first high-level visit from India following the formation of new governments in both countries.
He met President Nayib Bukele and Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, trade, technology, healthcare, education and digital transformation. The visit also saw the launch of pilot projects developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, and the signing of an MoU on Cybersecurity between C-DOT and El Salvador.
Visit of Foreign Minister Hill to India, February 2023
Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco visited India from 09-13 February 2023. According to the brief, the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister Hill discussed the full range of bilateral relations, including political and economic ties. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, solar activities, capacity building, expanding commerce and people-to-people relations.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and agreed to strengthen India-SICA engagements. The External Affairs Minister welcomed El Salvador's support for India's candidature for Non-Permanent Membership of the UNSC for 2028-29.
Visit of Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi, January 2023
Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi visited El Salvador from 17-19 January 2023. She called on President Nayib Bukele and held meetings with Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco and other senior Ministers. During the visit, she delivered a lecture on "75 Years of India's Growth Story" and took part in Yoga and tree plantation events under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
Visit of Presidential Advisor Ibrahim Bukele, April 2024
In April 2024, Presidential Advisor Ibrahim Bukele led a high-level delegation to India, accompanied by the Minister and Vice Minister of Transport. The visit was to explore cooperation in metro rail, buses and 5G technology, and more broadly collaboration in infrastructure and technology.
Presentation of credentials, November 2025
Ambassador Raj Kumar Singh presented credentials to Vice President Félix Ulloa on 21 November 2025. The two held discussions on trade, investment, digital infrastructure, healthcare and cultural cooperation. During the visit, the Ambassador also met several senior Ministers and stakeholders to discuss trade and investment, a possible Free Trade Agreement, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and technology partnerships.
Foreign Office Consultations
The brief states that regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) have played an important role in maintaining momentum in bilateral relations. The 4th FOC was held in New Delhi on 1 May 2023. Both sides reviewed cooperation in health, trade, tourism, energy, transport, infrastructure, culture and development partnership.
As of May 2026, the brief states that the 5th round of FOC is expected to be held in El Salvador "this year", at the Vice-Minister level.
Regional and multilateral cooperation
El Salvador is an active member of the International Solar Alliance. It also hosts the headquarters of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in San Salvador.
According to the brief, India and SICA continue to strengthen regional cooperation through regular Foreign Ministers' meetings. These include the 5th India-SICA Meeting, held in New York in September 2025, and the SICA-India Action Plan discussions held in El Salvador in February 2026.