I've heard too many RW commentators scorn "African Studies" and I guess "Latin America Studies" too. Guess what? China doesn't take either as a joke. With the exception of a few genuine experts, India's knowledge of either region is abysmal, set in the past and outclassed.

Yet, both regions do quite a lot of trade with India. This has not been matched by a qualitatively improved diplomatic outreach, or presence. Indian businesses are viewed more positively than Chinese in Latin America as they bring jobs rather than exploit.

Unfortunately, the calibre of your "experts" is mostly rather poor - again with exceptions. I had the experience of talking to the PhD students and faculty of the Latin America Studies section at JNU.

Without exception, all the research was centred in the past with not a single contemporary research project. This perhaps reflected the comfort area of the faculty and its deficiencies - not one even knew of the Alto-Cenapa war between Peru and Ecuador in 1995. Change is needed