Tale of Two Lost Brothers: India and Mexico

Although brothers get lost and grow into different personalities due to varying circumstances, the similarities remain, and eventually, they reunite and work together

India and Mexico are two ancient civilizations proud of their history, culture, and traditions. After spending two years working and living full-time in Mexico, I can't help but notice the vast similarities between Mexicans and Indians regarding culture, family values, consumer preferences, economic similarities, and social structures. 

As clichéd as it may sound, these similarities between India and Mexico always remind me of the plot of an old Bollywood movie from the 1970s. In the movie, a happy family with parents and two children (brothers) goes to a carnival. While they are enjoying popcorn and roller coaster rides, something happens (either a fire breaks out, or a group of dacoits attacks the carnival), leading to the brothers getting separated from their family. 

Given the lack of internet and WhatsApp in those times, it was hard to find someone if they got lost. Hence, the storyline continues with each brother ending up in different cities and being adopted by different families from completely different social and economic backgrounds. Fast forward in the storyline, they grow into impressive protagonists, each developing their own personality due to the differences in their upbringing and exposure to life situations. Eventually, through several twists of fate (or perhaps the imagination of the movie director), they meet and realize they are the lost brothers from the fateful carnival they attended 20 years ago. Moving forward, they end up doing remarkable things together, such as reuniting with their family, avenging their father against the dacoits who attacked the carnival, falling in love (sometimes with the same girl), and ultimately saving the world from potential disaster!

The bottom line of this narrative is that although the brothers get lost and grow into different personalities due to varying circumstances, the similarities remain, and eventually, they reunite and work together. Can the same be said about India and Mexico? 

Let's figure this out. In this article, I will explore the relationship between India and Mexico from four perspectives: 1) Mythological similarities 2) Historical relationship 3) Trade relationship and 4) Cultural similarities. Further, I will be concluding my article by providing few triggers for future collaboration between the countries. 

Let’s tackle the most impressive similarity first: Mythological. 

1. Mythological similarities between Hinduism and Mayan Culture 

The earliest mention of Mexico (or Central-South America) in Indian texts can be traced back to the Indian historical epic, the Ramayana. In the text of the Ramayana, there are mentions of Lord Hanuman, also known as the "Monkey God" and the "Lord of Wind," visiting the "Pataal Lok" (the world beneath or under) to rescue King Ram and his brother Laxman, who were kidnapped by the demon king Ravana's accessories. If you look at the globe, the location of Mexico and Central America is about 180 degrees from India (hence the 11-hour 30-minute time difference). 

Is there proof of this incident? Yes! For this, we need to look at the Copan Ruins in Honduras. Although not in Mexico, the ruins are part of the great Mayan civilization that spanned across Central America. In 1939, Theodore Morde, an American explorer, claimed to have found the ruins of the "Ciudad Blanca," where he saw the remains of a temple dedicated to a Monkey God. 

Below you will find the stone structure of the Monkey God, also known as the Wind God of the Mayans, which closely resembles the Hindu God Hanuman, the son of the Wind God in Indian literature. The similarities of this notion can’t be a mere coincidence. I will leave this storyline to be personally explored by the reader (check the links in the references) if they are interested.

2. India- Mexico Historical relationship 

Mexico’s links with India go back many centuries, to the time of the galleon trade between the Philippines and Nueva España (New Spain), when trade and commerce between Mexico and all the major countries of Asia, including India, flourished. 

During the early 1920s, Mexico served as a base for some Indian freedom fighters, such as MN Roy and Pandurang Khankhoje. Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognize India's independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1950. In the 1960s, India's efforts to achieve food security were greatly assisted by the high-yielding hybrid wheat seed, Sonora made in Mexico.

More recent developments include:

1. Memorandum of Understanding to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation during the visit of Mexican President Calderón to India in 2007
2. India and Mexico elevated their ties from a 'Privileged Partnership' to Strategic Partnership' during the Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico in 2016
3. Specific Cooperation Agreement between space agencies of India and Mexico in 2020
4. A new Trade & Commerce Council of India and Mexico (INDEX) was launched in 2022 by the Embassy of India in Mexico City

Mahatma Gandhi statues are also present in various cities, including Mexico City, Acapulco, Guanajuato, Cancun and San Luis Potosi, serving as a constant reminder of our shared values of peace and non-violence.

3. India- Mexico Trade relationship 

In 2023, two-way trade between both nations amounted to US$8.6 billion. India-Mexico bilateral trade reached USD 10.6 billion in 2023. The bilateral trade reached USD 10.2 billion in 2018, surpassing the 10 billion mark for the first time and also reached an all time high of USD 11.2 billion in 2022. The trade balance is in favor of India (3.68 bn) in 2022. 

At the same time, about 78% of Mexico exports comprise just one item, crude oil. India imported about 3 billion USD worth of oil from Mexico in 2022 and was Mexico’s second-largest market globally for crude oil. However, the oil exports from Mexico have gone down due to a change in policy by Mexico which has also affected crude oil exports to India.

Indian companies in Mexico 

Three sectors stand out : automobiles, information technology (IT) and pharmaceuticals 

During Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia’s recent visit to India, the automotive parts manufacturer Vimercarti Viney unveiled a plan to invest US$200 million over the next decade in Nuevo Leon. 

Mexican companies in India 

Mexican companies have reciprocated this investment, with well-known brands like Bimbo, Cinepolis, Kidzania and Nemak making their mark in India. Mexican investments in India amount to about US$810 million. 

Nemak, which is part of the ALFA Group of Mexico has invested 11 million USD in a manufacturing facility in Chennai. Softtek, an IT company from Monterrey, recently become the first Latin American company to invest in the service sector in India, when it invested 26 million USD in acquiring an Indian company in Bangalore. Great Foods & Beverages of Mexico has invested about 10 million USD in India and has a great future for its fruit chill bars and noodles. 

Overall, Indian investments in Mexico are far greater than the other way around. India’s investments in Mexico are more than 4 billion USD. On the other hand, Mexico has only an investment of about 1 billion USD (both direct and indirect).

4. Cultural similarities between India and Mexico 

"The cultural ties between India and Mexico, exemplified by similar family values, social relationships, colorful celebrations, and culinary similarities, further pave the way for successful business interactions." 

Some of the key similarities include:

• Family Values - India and Mexico both place a strong emphasis on family values, celebrating close-knit family ties and traditions. In both cultures, family gatherings are central to life's significant events, including festivals, birthdays, and religious ceremonies. Regular visits to family members, whether for special occasions or routine get-togethers, underscore the importance of maintaining strong connections. Both societies cherish their elders, often caring for parents and grandparents with deep respect and affection. The celebration of festivals like Diwali in India and Día de los Muertos in Mexico not only highlights cultural heritage but also reinforces family bonds through shared rituals and communal activities. 
• Social Relationships – Both India and Mexico score similar scores on the Power distance scale, Collectivism vs Individualism scale and also motivation towards achievement and success metrics developed by Hofstede. indicating an appreciation for hierarchy and a top-down structure in society and organizations. The collectivist side means that there is a high preference for belonging to a larger social framework in which individuals are expected to act for the greater good of one’s defined in-group(s). In such situations, the actions of the individual are influenced by various concepts such as the opinion of one’s family, extended family, neighbors, work group, and other such wider social networks that one has some affiliation toward. A high score (Decisive) on this dimension indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in field.
• Culinary depth - India and Mexico share a vibrant culinary heritage marked by their use of spices and deep, complex flavors. Both cuisines excel in blending various spices to create dishes with rich and layered profiles. In India, the use of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala is central to crafting diverse and flavorful dishes, from curries to biryanis. Similarly, Mexican cuisine relies on a diverse array of spices, such as chili peppers, cumin, and cloves, to build robust flavors in its dishes.

A notable similarity is seen in the way both cultures approach their signature sauces. Mexican Mole and Indian chicken curry are excellent examples of this. Mole, a traditional Mexican sauce made with ingredients like chilies, chocolate, and spices, creates a complex and savory profile. Indian chicken curry, too, features a rich, spiced sauce often made with a base of onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices. 

5. Future triggers for a collaborative relationship 

Below 5 future triggers could be the point of focus for developing a stronger relationship between India and Mexico. 

• Nearshoring for IT companies -  Indian IT giant, TCS opened its first center in Monterrey. The facility was starting with 700 employees, reaching 1,000 by the end of the year. It was also part of more than 2,500 new jobs the company expected to generate nationwide. Other companies such as HCL and Infosys also have similar investment plans.
• Forming joint ventures or partnerships with local firms - Forming joint ventures or partnerships with local firms could be a strategically prudent move. Local legal partners can provide critical navigation through Mexico’s complex legal framework, assisting in everything from corporate registrations to environmental regulations. These partnerships could also facilitate smoother community integration and enhance brand acceptance, leveraging local legal expertise to mitigate risks associated with market entry.
• Bilateral visits - Expanding bilateral relationships between India and Mexico can be significantly advanced through a variety of strategic initiatives, including conducting events, trade fairs, diplomatic meetings, dialogues, and official visits.
• Healthcare collaborations - India’s ImmunoAct and Mexican institutions like the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition (INCMNSZ), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AMEXCID), have collaborated to introduce advanced cancer therapies to Mexico. More such research collaborations are required to fuel the growth of healthcare solutions.
• Space Cooperation - Space cooperation is another promising area for collaboration. India recently became the first country to land a space probe on the South Pole of the moon, at a cost of just US$75 million. India's successful Mars orbiter mission, costing US$73 million, further underscores the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) capabilities. Existing MoUs between ISRO and the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) in the fields of remote sensing and forest fire management also pave the way for deeper collaborations.

To conclude, I sincerely hope that Indians and Mexicans will collaborate more in the future across all fronts. We have only scratched the surface of our potential. Significant untapped opportunities for further growth in bilateral trade and investment exist, with the potential to double the trade volume within the next five years. 

Let’s not allow physical distance and language barriers to become roadblocks in our evolving relationship. And if you ever need proof of this, trust me—Bollywood movies are always right. The two lost brothers always eventually reunite, every single time....

The author is director of the Master on Business Analytics.

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