The United Diplomatic Council (UDC) commenced 2026 with a New Year Diplomatic closed-door conference followed by Lunch in New Delhi on 5 January 2026, reaffirming India’s expanding role in shaping multilateral trade and investment cooperation among emerging and developing economies. The gathering reflected a forward-looking India-2026 narrative, positioning the country as a central partner for inclusive, partnership-driven global trade.
The engagement brought together representatives from Cuba, Gabon, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Chad, and Papua New Guinea, creating a diverse multilateral platform spanning Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
Country-wise deliberations highlighted clear sectoral priorities and growing openness toward Indian enterprises. The Ambassador of Cuba to India, H.E. Juan Carlos Marguliara, reflected on the momentum achieved during 2025 in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and energy, and called for an expanded engagement in 2026. Cuba conveyed readiness to welcome Indian participation in coffee production, tourism, healthcare services, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and agri-value chains, while strengthening people-to-people and service-sector linkages between the two nations.
African partners including Gabon and Lesotho extended invitations to Indian companies to explore on-ground opportunities, particularly in natural resources, infrastructure development, industrial capacity building, and value-added manufacturing. Indian enterprises were viewed as long-term partners capable of combining investment with skills development and technology transfer. Chad emphasised the critical role Indian investors can play in advancing its Vision 2030, with focus areas including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and essential services. Ethiopia acknowledged the longstanding contribution of Indian businesses to its economic growth, particularly in manufacturing, textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, and reaffirmed its position as one of Africa’s most reliable gateways for Indian companies seeking regional expansion.
A key focus of the discussions was Papua New Guinea, with official representatives present at the conference. Known for its rich biodiversity, natural resources, and strategic location in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea identified sectors across agriculture and agro-processing, mining and energy, fisheries, healthcare services, infrastructure development, logistics, tourism, and skill development. The country’s development priorities align closely with India’s strengths in scalable infrastructure, affordable healthcare solutions, digital innovation, and technology-driven growth models. UDC reaffirmed its intent to strengthen trade and institutional ties with Papua New Guinea, recognising the country as a strategic partner in India’s expanding Pacific engagement.
The event also witnessed active participation from leading chambers and international business associations, including FICCI, along with associations from Russia and Australia, alongside Indian business leaders from across regions, chairpersons of trade councils and industry bodies. They highlighted the growing relevance of BRICS cooperation with India, outlining how Indian entrepreneurs can benefit through enhanced market access, investment facilitation, supply-chain integration, and strategic partnerships across BRICS and allied economies, collectively expanding cross-border collaboration.
During the dialogue, UDC proved its long-standing relationships with the participating countries, built through sustained diplomatic engagement, trade facilitation, and institutional cooperation. The Council also outlined its forward roadmap, which includes leading focused business and trade delegations, facilitating structured B2B and B2G engagements, and strengthening associations with countries, with the clear objective of increasing bilateral and multilateral trade volumes in the coming years.
Summing up the significance of the engagement, Dr. Asif Iqbal, Founder President of the United Diplomatic Council, stated:
“As global trade undergoes a fundamental shift, emerging economies are looking for partners who can grow alongside them. India’s entrepreneurial strength, technological capability, and collaborative approach make it uniquely placed to meet these expectations. Through platforms such as this, UDC remains committed to deepening global partnerships, facilitating meaningful trade engagement, and advancing inclusive economic growth with India at the centre.”
The New Year Diplomatic Lunch and conference reflected growing confidence among emerging economies in engaging with Indian investors and enterprises, while reaffirming UDC’s role as a trusted facilitator of global trade dialogue. As 2026 unfolds, the platform reinforced expectations of stronger trade cooperation, deeper institutional linkages, and sustained multilateral collaboration, with India playing an increasingly influential role in the evolving global economic landscape.
