Panamanian Leaders Back India’s Fight Against Terror During High-Level Visit
Panama City, May 29 — In a strong diplomatic message of solidarity, several top leaders and public figures from Panama have extended their support to India’s global stance against terrorism. The show of support came during a high-profile reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Sumit Seth for the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
The reception, held in Panama City on Thursday, saw attendance from Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez, Vice Minister Carlos Hoyos, former First Lady Lorena Castillo de Valera, ex-MP Genesis Alonjo, and Mehr Eliezer, Miss Panama 2019 and emerging political figure.
Clear Stand Against Terrorism
In a powerful diplomatic statement, Foreign Minister Vasquez addressed the gathering and strongly condemned terrorism. He affirmed Panama’s full support for India’s efforts in countering global terror threats.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared the details of the visit on social platform X, noting, "The Foreign Minister and his Vice-Minister expressed strong sympathy for India, support for our fight against terrorism, and enthusiasm for enhanced India–Panama cooperation."
Tharoor praised the reception, calling it a “spectacular end” to their official visit, highlighting the warmth and camaraderie displayed by Panamanian leaders and the diplomatic community.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
India and Panama share longstanding diplomatic ties, and this visit aimed to strengthen cooperation across areas such as trade, education, culture, and security. During the delegation’s time in Panama, they also had a formal meeting with President Jose Raul Mulino at the Presidential Palace.
President Mulino reiterated Panama’s commitment to supporting India on the international stage and expressed a clear opposition to terrorism in all forms.
Key Takeaways from the Visit
- India-Panama Anti-Terror Cooperation: Panama's top leadership reaffirmed solidarity with India’s anti-terror narrative.
- Diplomatic Engagement: The Indian delegation engaged with Panamanian politicians, diplomats, and civil society figures, strengthening people-to-people ties.
- Cultural Diplomacy: The reception included diverse influential Panamanian figures who expressed admiration for India’s global positioning.
- Engineering Marvel Visit: The delegation also visited the iconic Panama Canal, marking the 25th anniversary of its handover from the US to Panama.
“Could not conclude our sojourn without a brief visit to the Panama Canal — truly an engineering marvel a century ago, & still breathtaking,” Tharoor wrote.
Prominent Attendees at the Reception
Apart from political dignitaries, the event was graced by:
- Lorena Castillo de Valera, former First Lady of Panama
- Genesis Alonjo, MP from 2019–2024
- Mehr Eliezer, Miss Panama 2019 and aspiring political leader
- Kathy Bhiku, prominent Indian-Panamanian community figure
- Milena Alvarado, Embassy staffer instrumental in organizing the visit
These interactions have not only enhanced India’s diplomatic outreach in Latin America but also reinforced global narratives around counter-terrorism efforts led by India.
Looking Ahead
The Indian Parliamentary delegation’s visit to Panama comes at a time when India is aggressively promoting its global leadership against terrorism and strategic partnerships in the Global South.
Panama’s vocal support on an international platform adds significant diplomatic weight to India's stance, particularly as it seeks broader consensus on counterterrorism at forums like the UNSC, G20, and the Global South summits.
With Panama emerging as a key Latin American ally, this visit could pave the way for deeper strategic and economic cooperation between the two nations in the years to come.