Latvia India Relations: Trade Agreement, Summit, Partnership - UPSC Notes

Over the years, India and Latvia have built a multifaceted partnership driven by strategic alignment. Strategically located in the Europe, Latvia plays an indispensable role in global politics and security. India began its diplomatic engagement with Latvia in 1992, leading to a sustained and fruitful collaboration. India and Latvia have a Embassy of India in Riga, Latvian Embassy in New Delhi, with each country hosting an embassy in the other’s capital for effective communication. The partnership between India and Latvia is of Entry to Western/Northern Europe, Baltic region cooperation, marked by defense cooperation, economic collaboration, cultural connections, and mutual interests in global security. 

• India and Latvia have established strong cooperation in Trade, investment, education, technology, culture, ICT, cybersecurity such as defense, nuclear energy, trade, space, oil and gas, cybersecurity, culture, and education. 
• Through key agreements in areas such as Economic & Technical Cooperation (1995), Air Services (1997), DTAA (2013), India and Latvia aim to boost their cooperative efforts. 
• India and Latvia report a trade volume of USD 40418 million (2023-24), signaling further growth in their economic engagement. 
• Among India’s main exports to Latvia are Pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, base metals, textiles, chemicals, reflecting strong and balanced trade between the two countries. 
• India’s key imports from Latvia include Base metals, machinery, wood, chemicals, optical instruments, reflecting strong and continuous trade relations. 

India and Latvia collaborate in ICT, cybersecurity, higher education, research, student exchange, focusing on research, student exchange, and innovation-driven partnerships. In this article, we have explored Defence Partnerships, Joint Commissions, and Bilateral Trade Flows for Latvia India Relations, offering valuable insights for UPSC aspirants preparing for GS Paper 2 and PSIR Optional. 

Latvia India Relations Establishment of Diplomatic Ties

Historical connections such as India recognized Latvia in 1991, diplomatic relations 1992 mark the beginning of India–Latvia relations. Leaders from both India and Latvia have made impactful visits in the past, including Latvian President (1997), Indian Vice President (2019), enhancing bilateral dialogue. 

• The relationship between India and Latvia has evolved through distinct phases such as Post-independence ties, EU accession phase, contemporary strategic engagement.

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Strategic & Political Cooperation of Latvia India Relations

The India-Latvia relationship is of Entry to Western/Northern Europe, Baltic region cooperation, with defense collaboration, economic partnerships, cultural interactions, and aligned global security priorities forming key components. 

• India and Latvia work together through Discussed in bilateral forums, maintaining cooperation by sharing information and tracking terrorist threats. 
• Key area of cooperation, MoU signed between India and Latvia enhances cyber resilience, supports tech transfer, and drives growth in the digital economy. 
• In order to foster peace and development, India and Latvia engage together in UN, EU-India, India-Nordic-Baltic Conclave. 
• Through their Potential in renewable energy, India and Latvia are collaborating on energy efficiency, fossil fuel alternatives, and grid modernization. 
• India and Latvia are dedicated to advancing ISRO cooperation discussed, ongoing academic projects through collaborative research, technological innovation, and joint exploration activities. 
• India and Latvia are working together on Air Services (1997), promoting tourism and connectivity to improve travel links and promote cross-cultural interaction. 
• India and Latvia have pursued DTAA signed and in force (2013) to provide relief to taxpayers and strengthen financial cooperation.

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Trade and Economic Overview of Latvia India Relations

• In order to deepen bilateral relations, India and Latvia have committed to agreements in key areas such as Economic & Technical Cooperation (1995), Air Services (1997), DTAA (2013). 
• India and Latvia have reached a trade volume of USD 40418 million (2023-24), highlighting the deepening of their economic ties. 
• Investment flows involve Tech Mahindra acquired Latvian IT company, Aditya Birla subsidiary, as well as shared projects aimed at enhancing mutual investment ties. 
• Formal platforms such as Foreign Office Consultations, India-Nordic-Baltic Conclave, often held annually or biennially, promote and review bilateral trade and investment cooperation between India and its partner country. 
• During the reported period, Latvia exported goods worth Approx USD 584 million (2024, Latvian data) to India. 
• Pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, base metals, textiles, chemicals are some of India’s top exports to Latvia, showing the depth of their commercial partnership. 

India exported products to Latvia amounting to Approx USD 190 million (2023-24, Indian data). Indian investments in Latvia are represented by companies like Tech Mahindra, Aditya Birla Group (Domsjö Fabriker subsidiary).

Socio-Cultural & Diaspora Engagement

The diaspora of India and Latvia is a driving force behind the improvement of Promoting cultural exchange, education, business links, fostering closer relations. Active, CEP signed (2019), Indian Studies Centre, Yoga between the two nations help people know more about each other’s festivals, arts, and customs. India is building strong educational bonds with its partner country through Student exchange, university collaborations, Baltic Studies Centre. 

• Latvia, primarily consisting of students and professionals, enhances cultural, educational, and economic connections, with numbers around Approximately 4,800 (students, business, IT professionals). 
• India and Latvia use Diplomacy, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, education to fortify their strategic stance and boost their global influence.

Latvia India Relations Recent Developments

The diplomatic relationship between India and Latvia is reinforced by Latvian Foreign Minister to India (March 2025) aimed at expanding mutual cooperation. Cultural Exchange Programme (2019) highlight mutual efforts to strengthen partnerships across priority areas of bilateral interest. 

• A range of developmental activities fall under Academic collaboration, research in Ayurveda, Space cooperation talks, highlighting shared goals. 
• Addressing Relatively low trade volume despite growth, awareness remains vital for the long-term success of the partnership. 
• The bilateral agenda includes advancing Growth in ICT, tech, education, trade, investment across innovation, trade, and diplomacy.

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UPSC Relevance of Latvia India Relations

• UPSC Prelims often asks about MoUs, recent diplomatic events, and bilateral cooperation, making this topic high-yield.
• Topics like defense ties, diaspora impact, or energy partnerships directly align with GS2 syllabus themes.
• India–Latvia ties can serve as case studies in essays on diplomacy, soft power, or global cooperation.
• Geography optional can use trade flows, diaspora locations, and economic linkages as applied case studies.