India and the Dynamics of World Politics

Chapter 7

India and Latin America

India and Latin America emerged on the horizon of European historical map in the 15th century almost simultaneously. The fall of Constantinople in 1453, blocked the spice route of India-Europe trade (black pepper was used to preserve meat in medieval Europe which was exported from India) and this led to scramble for searching alternative routes to India. This search for India led to discovery of Latin America by the European world in the 15th century. And, later on in 1498 route to India was also discovered by Vasco-da-Gama, who was guided by an Indian sailor from Gujarat, named Abdul Majid from the African coast to the Indian coast of Malabar.

This common history of both the regions led to similar colonial legacy ...