The last stop in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent five-country tour was Mexico City – the farthest destination he touched this time. He probably found Mexico to be a most fascinating nation, a charming blend of exceptional history, traditions, music, art and cuisine. Travelling to Mexico as ‘a common Indian’ in the early 1990s, he had already experienced ‘the richness of Mexican culture.’

In no other country was the Indian PM driven personally by the host president in his limousine to the dinner venue. It was clearly an exceptional gesture by President Enrique Peña Nieto. Incidentally, that venue was Quintonil, which entered the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list in 2015. The Mexicans were thrilled to welcome an Indian prime minister on a bilateral visit after a 30 year-long hiatus.

Media reports seem to suggest that Modi’s working visit had only one purpose: to secure Mexico’s support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Mexico has indeed been in the opposition camp for long, but its government took a conscious decision not to disappoint India this time.  Reversing the earlier position, the president conveyed support for India in view of its commitment “to the international agenda of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.” The prime minister thanked the host for Mexico’s “positive and constructive support”.

The Modi visit, however, had other goals too. This becomes clear upon reading between the lines. His discussions at Los Pinos, the elegant presidential residence which this author visited once, covered other important facets of a vital relationship. Its full potential has not been realised so far.

A nation of 120 million people, Mexico is located on exactly the reverse side of the globe, as viewed from India. Striking similarities in geo-climatic conditions, biodiversity, colonial experience and cultural and family values exist between India and Mexico. The original mistake of Columbus persists: upon landing in Central America, he was convinced he had reached India. Native Mexicans are still called “Indians”, only partially because they do in fact look very similar to us!

The two nations are also bound by rich intellectual and cultural contacts in the modern era. Rabindranath Tagore and MK Gandhi left an indelible impression on the Mexican mind. Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognise India. Octavio Paz, Nobel laureate, poet, writer and the best-known Mexican ambassador to India, became an influential and lasting link between the two societies.

After Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1986, Mexico somehow slipped from India’s diplomatic radar. Brazil emerged as our key partner in Latin America, bilaterally as well as a fellow-member of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, Russia, South Africa). Mexico had to be content with a Privileged Partnership, considered lower in status than a Strategic Partnership, which India has with an array of other countries.

The Modi visit gave a clear signal that a new, broad convergence in the ‘strategic goals’ of the two countries has now been established. The relationship is heading to be upgraded. It is expected that President Nieto may visit India and PM Modi may undertake a longer bilateral visit in the next two years. The two leaders certainly have compelling reasons to find more time for each other, in addition to the three meetings they held in the past two years. The only Latin American country in North America, one that is linked to the America and Canada through its membership of the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA), Mexico can be a much bigger trade and investment partner for India. Bilateral trade was valued at $6.45 billion in 2014, but a practical goal should be to take it to the $10 billion level in the short term.

Mexico has immense petroleum reserves and production. It can export more crude oil to India, thus becoming a vital source for our energy security. Indian information and communications technology, pharma and automotive companies have achieved significant success in the past 15 years. This can be further expanded. Mexican companies too have begun investing in India’s chemicals, entertainment and other sectors. A natural synergy is thus building up. As a fellow member of G-20, Mexico has scope to collaborate with India more.

Judging by the remarks of the two leaders at the joint press conference on June 8, it is evident that better days lie ahead for India-Mexico relations. Officials and ministers have been tasked to produce ‘a roadmap’ for widening and deepening of the relationship and laying the foundation for its transformation into a strategic partnership of substance. They will work on a wide canvas of subjects ranging from global to bilateral levels such as space, science and technology, climate change, waste management and solar energy.

The main area of difference, however, remains: on UN Security Council reform, Mexico, as a member of the ‘Coffee Club’, favours expansion in the category of non-permanent members only and without veto, thus putting serious obstacles to India’s bid to be a permanent member in an expanded body.

PM Modi quoted Octavio Paz’s famous observation in the Light of India: “I can understand what it means to be Indian, because I am Mexican.” Modi added meaningfully, “Of course, it is true the other way too!”

The visit to Mexico was, thus, not just about NSG. It has unleashed a serious process that aims to rejuvenate a relationship with a rich past, in consonance with the needs of the 21^st century.

Fortunately, in Melba Pria Mexico has an ambassador in Delhi who is a top-notch professional with proven diplomatic skills. Her single act – of travelling in an auto-rickshaw in Delhi with a CD number plate – has endeared her to the media and connected her to people. Her able and youthful counterpart, Ambassador Muktesh Pardesi, won laurels for reforming India’s passport services. He has received a big boost from the prime minister’s visit so early in the former’s tenure in Mexico City.

 Amigos, the future beckons!