Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra in Conversation with Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja

Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, India’s Ambassador to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, recently made headlines by leading the largest-ever International Day of Yoga event outside India. Over 10,000 participants gathered at Carchá, Guatemala, on June 13, 2025, for a celebration of wellness, unity, and Indian philosophy. Days before concluding his term, Ambassador Mohapatra sat down with Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja, Editor of The Indian Panorama, to reflect on his tenure, the deepening of Indo-Central American relations, and his vision for India’s role in the region.

Excerpts from the interview.

TIP: Good morning, Ambassador Mohapatra. Congratulations on organizing a historic yoga event here in Guatemala. With over 10,000 participants and only a small Indian diaspora in the country, it’s astonishing. How did you manage to mobilize such a massive gathering, especially with so many young participants?

Amb. Dr. Mohapatra: Thank you so much, Professor. We’ve been friends for over a decade, and you’ve seen me work in New York and Washington, D.C. My goal has always been to promote Indian culture globally—and yoga, as a gift of India to the world, is central to that mission.

Now, regarding the International Day of Yoga in Carchá, our strategy focused on engaging youth. Young people are the future of any nation, and in a country like Guatemala, where awareness of India is still growing, targeting schoolchildren created an organic way to connect with families and communities. This wasn’t just about organizing an event; it was about creating a movement.

Despite the Indian community here being fewer than 100 families, we intentionally focused on local participation. Our goal has always been people-to-people contact. We wanted Guatemalans to experience Indian culture firsthand. That’s why we worked hard to include school administrations, youth groups, municipal authorities, and the education ministry.

And it’s been building up. Three years ago, our Holi and Diwali celebrations had around 2,000 participants. Last year, it was 5,000. This year, more than 10,000 came together. It became a regional festival. The enthusiasm of the local people, the support from the government, and the underlying message of this year’s theme—“One World, One Health”—all came together beautifully.

I believe this was likely the largest International Day of Yoga celebration outside of India.

TIP: Truly remarkable. It’s not something easily replicated. You’ve clearly established a strong cultural bridge between India and Guatemala. I recall the Holi and Diwali festivals you’ve organized—massive turnouts, enthusiastic local participation.

Amb.: Absolutely. Beyond Guatemala, I’ve extended this outreach to El Salvador and Honduras as well. Two years ago, we celebrated Holi in San Salvador with over 7,000 people. This year, even with shifting political landscapes, more than 3,000 attended.

We’ve celebrated everything—from Gandhi Jayanti and Durga Puja to plantation drives under the “Green Earth” initiative. Over 500 children planted saplings last year. We’ve implemented campaigns aligned with India’s national initiatives, such as “Ek Ped Mahakalyanam” and “LiFE Mission,” while always ensuring inclusivity and local participation.

This year, for example, we took the yoga event 250 kilometers away from the capital to reach communities that would otherwise never interact with India. The idea was to move beyond the capital, beyond our comfort zones.

I must thank the governments of all three countries, the municipal bodies, and especially the young people. Their response has been heartening.

TIP: After more than three and a half years in these three countries, how do you look back at your tenure?

Amb.: I see it holistically. Wherever I’m posted, I ask myself: what legacy can I leave in this short time?

When I arrived, the total bilateral trade between India and the three countries was modest. Today, it exceeds $1 billion. Guatemala alone, with a population of 17 million, is leading among the three—El Salvador has 6.7 million, and Honduras about 10 million.

We’ve facilitated major Indian investments, especially in renewable energy. One company has established a paper production facility using sugarcane bagasse—environmentally friendly and sustainable. Another entered the vegetable oil industry, and Indian businesses are also active in textiles and digital infrastructure.

These aren’t short-term deals. They are long-term engagements. Giants like Adani and Reliance are exploring opportunities, and Jio is laying groundwork for telecom infrastructure. India is no longer just a cultural friend—we are becoming an economic partner.

TIP: What potential do you see for further strengthening these trade relationships?

Amb.: Immense potential. While India traditionally doesn’t interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, geographical distance and limited awareness about India’s rise remain challenges. But every challenge brings opportunity.

When I came here from Washington, D.C., I had extensive experience in economic diplomacy. That experience helped me identify strategic sectors and bring in Indian businesses. We organized 30 to 40 B2B meetings annually.

To guide our work, I introduced the acronym “SPEED”:

S – Supply Chain Management

P – Pharmaceuticals

E – Education

E – Energy

D – Digital

In each of these areas, we’ve seen real results.

India now supplies up to 30% of the pharmaceutical requirements for these countries. Our energy sector, particularly solar, is competitive. Supply chains are stabilizing post-pandemic. Education and digital infrastructure are next frontiers. And we’re positioning India as a dependable long-term partner.

TIP: Central America’s economy is closely tied to the United States. Given the evolving U.S. political and economic climate, how can India strengthen its engagement with the region?

Amb.: That’s an important question. While these countries have historical and trade ties with the U.S., they are now seeking to diversify.

India’s growth—6.5 to 7.5% consistently—has caught their attention. They want to reduce dependency on a single partner. That helps us. But again, geographical distance is a factor.

If India and the U.S. can maintain excellent relations across such distance, why not between India and Central America?

We don’t impose political conditions. Our engagement is apolitical, focused purely on development, commerce, and culture. I believe we’ve succeeded in converting challenges into opportunities.

TIP: India still has a significant trade imbalance with China. Isn’t it necessary for India to find new markets—like these Central American nations—for its goods?

Amb.: Absolutely. But trade is never one-sided. For it to be sustainable, it must be mutually beneficial.

India is one of the largest consumer markets in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. So, while we aim to export, we also import. It’s a two-way street.

Rather than just selling products, we’re encouraging Indian companies to manufacture locally—particularly in textiles and consumer goods. That way, semi-finished goods from India can be processed here and shipped quickly to the U.S. or other Latin American countries.

It’s a classic win-win.

TIP: You’ve worked closely with businesses and governments here. What would you say were your biggest achievements? And were there any regrets or things left unfinished?

Amb.: I wouldn’t call them failures—perhaps areas needing more time.

We’ve laid a strong foundation. For instance, the largest investment in Guatemala in recent years is by an Indian company. We’ve created thousands of jobs. A company that had 400 employees now has 1,500. Another in the energy sector is scaling up rapidly.

India’s presence in sectors like digital infrastructure, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy has deepened.

And on the diplomatic side, Honduras has opened an embassy in New Delhi. That’s a significant milestone.

I’ve also worked hard to build genuine friendships. I often say these countries are like Lord Hanuman—they don’t always realize their own strength until reminded. My job was to help them see India as a reliable, rising partner.

TIP: So you’ve built the foundation. Now the next ambassador has a platform to build upon.

Amb.: Precisely. I arrived during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Guatemala. I leave on the 53rd. Three years may seem short, but we’ve made it count.

Continuity is key. As T.S. Eliot said, “Time past is present in time future.” I’ve built on the work of my predecessors and laid the groundwork for my successor. That’s how diplomacy should function.

TIP: You’ve often spoken of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family. That was a powerful message during the yoga session. Would you like to elaborate?

Amb.: Of course. That phrase isn’t just a slogan—it’s a philosophy that guides all our actions.

We don’t undertake initiatives for personal or national gain alone. We share knowledge, technology, and experience generously. That’s India’s ethos.

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” means we see everyone as part of one global family. One sun, one moon, one earth, one health. Our yoga event, the prosthetic limb donation, the medical camps—we did all this to connect people, not to chase headlines.

I’m proud of how the Indian community, our partners in the U.S., and local authorities came together. That’s what diplomacy is truly about.

TIP: Thank you so much, Ambassador Mohapatra. Your vision, leadership, and deep sense of service have left a lasting mark. On behalf of The Indian Panorama and all our readers, we wish you continued success wherever you go next.

Amb.: Thank you, Professor. Your support and that of the Indian diaspora have meant a lot. This isn’t goodbye—it’s just the continuation of a journey. We’ve built a bridge between India and Central America. Now it’s time to walk across it together.