India and Latvia Strengthen Bilateral Ties During Riga Consultations
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India and Latvia reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors during the 9th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Riga on November 5, 2025. The discussions underscored a growing partnership between the two nations, focusing on trade, technology, and enhanced people-to-people connections.
The Indian delegation, led by Shri Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, engaged in productive talks with the Latvian side, headed by Andžejs Viļumsons, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. This round of consultations followed the previous FOC, which took place in New Delhi in November 2022.
Reviewing the Broad Spectrum of Bilateral Relations
The FOC provided a platform for a comprehensive review of the entire scope of bilateral relations. Both countries expressed a shared desire to broaden their collaboration, with specific emphasis on key areas such as trade, technology, innovation, and fostering stronger people-to-people ties.
“The discussions were incredibly fruitful, covering a wide range of issues and identifying new avenues for cooperation,” a senior official stated.
Support for Latvia at the UNSC and Condemnation of Terrorism
Secretary (West) conveyed India’s strong appreciation for Latvia’s consistent condemnation of all forms of terrorism. India also reaffirmed its support for Latvia’s upcoming role on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the 2026-2027 period.
Furthermore, the two sides engaged in an exchange of views regarding pressing regional and global developments of mutual interest, demonstrating a commitment to collaborative diplomacy.
Future Cooperation and Continued Dialogue
Both India and Latvia agreed to maintain regular official exchanges to ensure continued momentum in their partnership. A commitment was made to convene the next FOC in New Delhi in 2026, with the specific timing to be determined based on mutual convenience.
Secretary (West) also had a separate meeting with H.E. Baiba Braže, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia, further solidifying the high-level engagement between the two countries. This ongoing dialogue signals a deepening strategic partnership poised for continued growth in the years ahead.
