India and Panama reinforced their people-to-people ties through a focused engagement with Indian diaspora leaders contributing to Panama’s civil protection framework. The interaction underscored the expanding role of the Indian community in supporting social resilience while deepening bilateral cooperation beyond traditional diplomacy.

Under the “Diaspora Connect: Reaching out to Community Leaders” initiative, Ambassador Dr. Sumit Seth interacted with representatives of the Indian diaspora associated with SINAPROC (Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil), Panama’s national civil protection authority. SINAPROC functions as a voluntary and institutional mechanism dedicated to protecting civil society, particularly during emergencies and disaster response operations.

During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on ways to further strengthen community engagement, commercial linkages, and cultural relations between India and Panama. The dialogue highlighted how diaspora-led participation in public service and volunteer organizations can serve as an effective bridge between host institutions and diplomatic missions.

The meeting also reflected the Embassy’s wider outreach efforts across Panama, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, aimed at building structured engagement with Indian communities in Central America. Such interactions recognize the diaspora not only as cultural ambassadors but also as partners in areas such as humanitarian coordination, skills exchange, and institutional cooperation.

By engaging with organizations like SINAPROC, the Embassy emphasized the importance of trust-building, collaboration, and shared responsibility. The dialogue reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustained diaspora engagement as a pillar of its bilateral relationship with Panama, contributing to stronger social, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.