This article covers the political relationship between India and Panama: its origins, the establishment of diplomatic relations, visits by leaders, ministers and officials, and the positions the two sides have taken in recent meetings. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief on India-Panama relations of June 2026.

Origins and diplomatic relations

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India-Panama relations are the oldest in the Central American region. They date back to the middle of the 19th Century, when groups of Indians came to Panama to work on the construction of the Panama Railways, and later the Panama Canal in the early 20th Century.

Diplomatic relations between India and Panama were established in 1962. The brief describes India's political relations with Panama as "warm and cordial".

Visits and meetings up to 2022

The brief states that bilateral relations "got a fillip" from the visit of the Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, to Panama from 8-10 May 2018. It adds that the visit of the MoS (ML) in April 2022 added to the warmth of relations.

Secretary (East) co-chaired the second India-Panama Foreign Office Consultations in Panama on 23 November 2022.

Visits in 2023

From 8-12 January 2023, Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney visited India at the invitation of the Government of India to attend the PBD at Indore. She also attended the Global Investors Summit in Indore and took part in the Voice of Global South virtually. An agreement on the training of diplomats was signed between EAM and the Foreign Minister.

On 24-25 April 2023, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S Jaishankar paid an official visit to Panama as part of a four-country tour. He met President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and held delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo.

Both sides expressed keenness to strengthen bilateral relations during the April 2023 visit, and discussed mobility, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy, trade and investment. A SICA-India Foreign Ministers' meeting was also held.

Visits in 2024

On 21-22 February 2024, the then Foreign Minister, Janaina Tewaney, visited India at the invitation of the Observer Research Foundation of India to attend the ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi. She met EAM on 22 February 2024, and both sides expressed a desire to enhance relations, especially in the economic sphere.

From 20-22 August 2024, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Pabitra Margherita, paid an official visit to Panama. He made a courtesy call on President Mr. Jose Raul Mulino Quintero and held delegation-level talks with his counterpart, Mr. Javier Martínez-Acha, Minister of External Relations of Panama. The brief lists the issues discussed:

  • India's candidature for the UNSC Non-Permanent Membership (2028-29) elections
  • visa and mobility issues
  • recognition of India Pharmacopoeia
  • a Migration and Mobility Agreement
  • pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy, trade and investment

On 23 November 2024, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama, María Eugenia López Arias, took part in the 25th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World in Lucknow.

Visits and meetings in 2025

In May 2025, a Multiparty Parliamentary Delegation from India visited Panama. It met the President of Panama, Mr. José Raúl Mulino, the President of the National Assembly, Mrs. Dana Castenada, and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha. According to the brief, Panama reaffirmed its support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council and condemned terrorism.

In July 2025, Vice Minister Mr. Carlos Hoyos visited India for discussions with MoS (PM), Secretary (West), an Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, and officials of IIT Delhi. The brief records that he reiterated Panama's support for India's right to self-defence and for its candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

In September 2025, EAM and Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha co-chaired the 5th India-SICA Meeting in New York. Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha later paid an official visit to India in July 2026 and met EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. In December 2025, the Vice Minister of Economy, Ms. Eida Gabriela Saiz, took part in the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi.