This article covers cultural and people-to-people links between India and Paraguay, and the Indian community living in Paraguay. It includes the cultural agreement signed in 2026, yoga and Ayurveda events, festivals and exhibitions organised by the Embassy of India, Gandhi commemorations and outreach to the diaspora. All details come from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of June 2026.

Cultural agreement

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, the India-Paraguay MoU on Cultural Exchange was signed on 23 April 2026 in Asuncion.

The brief states that there is a significant liking for Indian arts, culture and heritage in Paraguay. It adds that Indian Food Festivals and all editions of the International Yoga Day have seen enthusiastic participation from Paraguayan people.

Mahatma Gandhi

EAM, during his visit in August 2022, inaugurated a Mahatma Gandhi Bust at Costanera in Asuncion.

As part of the celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, commemorative stamps were launched in Asuncion in March 2019 by Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu and the Vice President of Paraguay, Mr. Hugo Vélazquez. A vegetarian food festival was also organised as part of the Gandhi@150 celebrations.

International Day of Yoga

The Embassy has celebrated the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in several Paraguayan cities each year, as the brief records:

  • IDY 2022: Asuncion; Monday waterfalls, an iconic site, in Presidente Franco; and Mision Jesuitica Trinidad del Parana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Encarnacion.
  • IDY 2023: the same three cities, and also Salto del Guaira in the Canindeyu Department.
  • IDY 2024: 6 cities, namely Asuncion, Cuidad del Este, Encarnacion, Salto del Guaira, San Bernadino and Concepcion.
  • IDY 2025: Asuncion, Ciudad del Este, Villarrica, Salto del Guaira and Encarnacion.

Ayurveda

The Embassy celebrated Ayurveda Day on 23 September 2025 in Asuncion. AYUSH Kiosks have also been set up by the Embassy on the sidelines of various events it has organised.

Festivals, fairs and exhibitions

The Embassy organised the 'International Gita Festival in Asuncion' on 19 November 2025 at the National Library premises, in collaboration with the National Secretariat of Culture of Paraguay and the National Library of Paraguay.

A Cultural Exhibition on the themes of 'Tiranga' and 'Bhagavad Gita' was held on the sidelines of the Republic Day Reception hosted by the Embassy on 26 January 2026. These exhibitions, together with art works received for the 'Colors of India' competition held to mark the 77th ICCR Foundation Day, were put on public display at the Embassy premises on 9-14 April 2026.

The Embassy took part in the fair 'Feria de Sabores del Cabildo' on 14 May 2026 in Asuncion, where an Indian dance performance was organised. It also took part in the fair 'Feria Palmear Sin Fronteras' on 30 May 2026 in Asuncion, with a Yoga demonstration and a Yoga Practice session.

The 65th anniversary and Vande Mataram

As part of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of India-Paraguay diplomatic relations, the Embassy launched an 'Indian Cooking Class Series' in February 2026.

The Embassy is also celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in Paraguay. A mass singing was organised on 7 November 2025 in Asuncion, and a cultural performance on the theme of Vande Mataram was held during the Republic Day Reception on 26 January 2026.

The Indian community in Paraguay

As of the brief, around 600 Indians live in Paraguay, mainly in Asuncion and Ciudad del Este. The brief describes Ciudad del Este as a city in the southeast of Paraguay on the border with Brazil and Argentina. Approximately 400 are NRIs, and the remainder are PIOs involved in trading, wholesale and retail business.

The Embassy has been reaching out to the Indian diaspora through Consular Camps, Open Houses, the Indian Ladies' Club, a Summer Camp for Children of Indian Diaspora, and the celebration of Indian festivals. A 'Viksit Bharat Run' was organised by the Embassy on 28 September 2025 in Asuncion, with participation of members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India.