NEW DELHI: The Mexico–India Business Council (MIBC) has appointed Prateek Ashok Navale as Director, with a clear mandate to expand bilateral trade, facilitate market entry and encourage Indian companies to look at Mexico as a strong partner country for exports and investment.
The appointment comes as businesses in both countries look beyond traditional trade towards manufacturing, investment, technology partnerships and supply-chain integration. India offers scale, manufacturing depth and technology. Mexico offers a large domestic market and a strategically located base within North American supply chains. The opportunity is substantial, but it now has to be pursued with a sharper understanding of market-access conditions.
Those conditions have changed. From 1 January 2026, Mexico has applied higher import tariffs on goods from countries with which it does not have a Free Trade Agreement, including India. The measure covers around 1,460–1,463 tariff lines, with duties raised in a range of 5% to 50%. Passenger vehicles from non-FTA countries now face tariffs of up to 50%, compared with earlier rates of around 20%. Auto components, steel, textiles, chemicals, plastics and several other categories are also subject to higher duties.
India and Mexico do not currently have a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement or CEPA in force, though discussions towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) have progressed. The new tariff regime does not close the market. It does, however, make the task clearer. Indian companies will need better product-level intelligence, stronger buyer connections and more practical support if they are to export competitively to Mexico and convert commercial interest into lasting partnerships.
That is the challenge before Mr Navale. His role is not to treat the tariff change as a barrier that ends the conversation, but to help Indian businesses understand the current rules, identify viable product lines, find the right local partners and, where appropriate, move from one-off shipments to manufacturing, distribution and investment in Mexico.
Experience Shaped by India’s Export-Promotion Ecosystem
Mr Prateek brings experience from India’s export-promotion ecosystem through his association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). His work included international trade, export promotion and digital trade initiatives, including the Indian Trade Portal (ITP) and the Indian Business Portal (IBP).
The Indian Trade Portal provides trade-related information and market intelligence. The Indian Business Portal supports digital B2B connectivity between Indian exporters and international buyers. Both platforms deal with the same practical questions that companies now face in the Mexico market: what can be exported, under what conditions, at what cost, and to whom.
This background is closely aligned with the work required on the India–Mexico corridor. Companies entering a new market need more than a list of opportunities. They need to understand HS classification, tariffs, customs procedures, rules of origin, technical regulations, labelling, taxes, logistics and distribution costs. For small and medium-sized companies in particular, identifying the right distributor, local representative or joint-venture partner can decide whether market entry succeeds or stalls.
Mr Navale’s brief, therefore, is operational. It is to facilitate Indian exporters, encourage companies to treat Mexico as a serious destination rather than a distant market, and help businesses take the practical steps required to enter and operate there.
MIBC’s Institutional Platform
Established with the support of the Government of Mexico and recognised by the Government of India, MIBC works to connect businesses with market intelligence, commercial opportunities, institutional networks and practical market-entry support.
Led by CEO Ravi K. Tiwari, who brings more than 15 years of experience in bilateral trade and investment leadership across three governments, the Council is focused on helping companies move from identifying opportunities to establishing commercial relationships in the respective markets. The appointment of Mr Prateek adds a dedicated director-level focus to that effort, especially on the Indian side of the corridor.
The Council’s recent Tequila Accelerator programme is one example of its sector-focused approach. The initiative supported Mexican tequila and mezcal producers exploring opportunities in India. More sector-specific programmes and market-entry initiatives are expected, with the aim of giving businesses targeted support based on industry-specific commercial and regulatory requirements. That approach is relevant for pharmaceuticals, engineering, food, technology and consumer products, where entry conditions can differ sharply from one sector to another.
Mexico’s Growing Importance for Indian Business
Mexico’s importance to Indian companies extends beyond its domestic consumer market. Its proximity to the United States, established manufacturing ecosystem and integration with North American supply chains make it increasingly relevant for firms looking to diversify their international operations.
The growth of nearshoring and supply-chain diversification has added to that relevance. Nearshoring means shifting production or supply-chain activity to a geographically closer country rather than a distant one. For companies serving North America, Mexico is not only an export destination. It can also be a base for manufacturing, distribution, technology services, joint ventures and regional operations.
Opportunities exist across automobiles and auto components, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, machinery, electronics, chemicals, information technology, food processing, renewable energy and consumer products.
India already exports a diverse range of products to Mexico, including automobiles and automotive components, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery and engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metals, plastics and rubber products, textiles, gems and jewellery, and food and agricultural products. The next step is to broaden this base from product exports towards deeper business partnerships and investment.
From Trade to Investment
The India–Mexico opportunity is not limited to the movement of goods. Indian businesses can explore Mexico for manufacturing, joint ventures, distribution, technology services and participation in North American supply chains. Mexican companies can explore India for sourcing, manufacturing, technology partnerships, distribution and access to a large consumer economy.
This creates room for the relationship to move from a buyer–seller model towards longer-term investment and business partnerships. Higher tariffs on some non-FTA imports make that shift more relevant, not less. Companies that rely only on finished-goods exports may face a tighter margin. Companies that build local partnerships, assembly, distribution or manufacturing may find a more durable route into the market.
For MIBC, the objective is to build a practical two-way commercial corridor by bringing together market intelligence, business networks, institutional engagement and market-entry support. As sector-specific initiatives expand, the focus will be on helping companies understand not only where opportunities exist, but also the steps required to enter and operate successfully in each market.
The broader aim is to translate the economic complementarity between India and Mexico into greater trade, investment, partnerships and sustainable commercial activity. Mr Navale’s task is to advance that aim from the director’s desk: facilitate Indian companies, increase commercially viable engagement with Mexico, and help position the country as a strong partner for both exports and investment.
Businesses seeking to explore India–Mexico trade, investment or market-entry opportunities can contact Mr Prateek, Director, Mexico–India Business Council, at director@mexicoindia.org.
