PM MODI’S ARGENTINA VISIT
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Argentina (July 4-5, 2025) marks the 1st bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years (since Indira Gandhi in 1968).
- This visit is a significant diplomatic engagement, aiming to deepen cooperation in critical sectors and reaffirm shared global positions, notably preceding the BRICS Summit in Brazil.
- India and Argentina are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.
STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
- Historical Milestone: 1st bilateral PM visit in 57 years, underscoring renewed focus on the relationship.
- Gateway to Latin America and Global South: Positioning Argentina as a key partner in India’s broader outreach to Latin America and the Global South.
- PM Modi emphasized that India and Argentina, sharing democratic values, are “natural partners” to expand cooperation.
- Diversification of Partnerships: India seeks to reduce over-reliance on traditional partners and diversify its economic and strategic collaborations.
- New Economic Openness: Argentina’s reform-minded President Javier Milei has signaled openness to economic partnerships beyond the West, aligning with India’s “Act East” and “Act West” policies.
- BRICS Context: While there was no direct discussion on BRICS membership during this bilateral visit, the timing precedes the BRICS Summit, providing an opportunity for bilateral discussions and aligning positions on global issues before the multilateral forum.
KEY AGENDAS & AREAS OF COOPERATION
- Ceremonial Welcome: PM Modi was received at Casa Rosada by President Javier Milei, with a ceremonial welcome and a brief tete-a-tete, followed by delegation-level talks.
- He also laid a wreath at the bust of General San Martin, Argentina’s revered freedom fighter.
STRATEGIC MINERALS & ENERGY SECURITY
- Lithium: Argentina holds vast reserves of lithium, a critical mineral for India’s clean energy transition (EV batteries, grid storage).
- Argentina is part of the ‘Lithium Triangle’ (along with Bolivia and Chile).
- Argentina is the world’s second-largest holder of lithium resources after Bolivia.
- KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd): The Indian state-backed consortium, tasked with acquiring critical mineral assets abroad, has signed 5 concession agreements for lithium exploration in Argentina’s Catamarca province.
- They are working on finalizing investments for production, refinement, and transfer to India.
- Two private Indian companies, Greenco and World Metal Alloys (UAE-based Indian-owned), have also invested in lithium concessions in Argentina.
- Shale Gas & LNG: Argentina possesses the world’s second-largest shale gas reserves and 4th -largest shale oil reserves, along with substantial conventional oil and gas deposits.
- India seeks to diversify its energy sources amidst volatility from traditional Gulf suppliers.
- An MOU between YPF (Argentina’s largest oil company) and two Indian companies (IOC and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited) is in place, with discussions ongoing for Indian investments in oil exploration and production in Argentina, aiming for production sharing agreements or other formats.
- Buenos Aires has expressed interest in expanding LNG exports and attracting Indian investment in upstream sectors.
TRADE DIVERSIFICATION & REBALANCING
- Growing Trade: Bilateral trade crossed USD 5.2 billion in 2024, with India ranking as Argentina’s 5th-largest trading partner in 2024.
- (It peaked at USD 6.4 billion in 2022, and India was Argentina’s fourth largest trading partner in 2021 and 2022).
- Diversifying Trade Basket: Discussions on the necessity of diversifying and expanding bilateral trade beyond the historical focus on edible oils (particularly soybean oil).
- Argentina’s Interest: Importing Indian pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and IT services.
- India’s Interest: Gaining access to Argentina’s agricultural markets for fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains.
- Market Access & Joint Working Group: Both sides aim to review trade imbalances and improve two-way market access.
- They directed their teams to convene the Joint Working Group on agriculture at the earliest.
- MERCOSUR: PM Modi requested Argentina’s support in expanding the India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement (PTA), emphasizing mutual benefits and new opportunities.
DEFENCE, SPACE, HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
- Defence Collaboration: Interest in enhancing collaboration.
- Argentina has shown interest in Indian-built defence systems, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
- Talks covered joint training, co-production, and technology transfers. India has offered support for maintenance, repair, and overhauling (MRO) of Argentina’s helicopter fleet, leveraging India’s experience. While India has offered various platforms, the focus will be on Argentina’s specific needs.
- Health and Pharmaceuticals:
- PM Modi highlighted India’s strength in producing high-quality, affordable medicines.
- Discussions on moving India from Annex II to Annex I of Argentina’s pharmaceutical regulatory framework to facilitate smoother entry of Indian products.
- Argentina confirmed fast-track approval for Indian medicines with US FDA or EMA (European Medical Authority) clearance, which would significantly improve access to affordable, life-saving medicines and reduce healthcare costs in Argentina.
- Other initiatives include telemedicine, digital health solutions, and capacity building through training and knowledge exchange.
- Space and Satellite Technologies:
- Building on a robust partnership (Argentina’s first satellite was launched with ISRO support in 2007).
- Agreed to strengthen collaboration in satellite development, launch services, space applications, and capacity building, noting India’s growing private space sector.
- Discussion on India’s NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) satellite system and its use for fishermen to identify fish schools, improving efficiency.
- Digital Innovation (UPI & Drones):
- Unified Payment Interface (UPI): President Milei showed keen interest in India’s UPI system, its role in increasing productivity, formalizing the economy, generating data for targeted benefits, creating credit records for microcredit, and improving tax compliance.
- The two sides agreed for a central bank delegation from Argentina to visit India to understand UPI.
- Drones: Discussion on India’s diverse applications of drones, including:
- Tackling IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported) fishing in Exclusive Economic Zones.
- Cattle management, increasing agricultural productivity.
- Border surveillance.
- Surveillance of high-tension power transmission lines (cost-effective alternative to helicopters).
- India’s “Drone Didi” initiative (involving rural women in agriculture for fertilizer/pesticide administration, land surveys).
- Emergency transport of medicines/vaccines (e.g., during COVID), and commercial transport of perishables.
- PM Modi also mentioned his personal use of drones to monitor project progress. A business delegation from Argentina will visit India to explore these applications with Indian startups.
COMMON STAND AGAINST TERRORISM
- PM Modi thanked President Milei for strong support following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, appreciating Argentina’s solidarity.
- Argentina, having faced major terror attacks (1992 Israeli Embassy bombing, 1994 AMIA Jewish Centre bombing), has a deep understanding of the threat, reinforcing the shared commitment to act against those who support or shelter such elements.
- Last Indian PM visit by Indira Gandhi in 1968:
- Indira Gandhi visited Argentina as part of her South American tour in 1968.
- She met Victoria Ocampo, a renowned Argentine writer and intellectual, and conferred upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature from Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva Bharati University.
- Her extensive tour also included Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.
- First recorded visit by an Argentine to India was in 1848:
- The earliest documented visit dates back to 1848 when 17-year-old Argentine Lucio V. Mansilla visited India.
- His travel experiences were recorded in his book Diario de viaje a Oriente (1850-51).
- His writings, while providing early insights, also reflected the racialized, colonial perspectives prevalent at the time.
- Tagore’s visit to Argentina had a transformative impact:
- In November 1924, Rabindranath Tagore visited Buenos Aires en route to Peru.
- He fell ill, and Victoria Ocampo invited him to recuperate at her estate.
- During his stay, Tagore composed the poetry collection Purabi, dedicating it to Ocampo, whom he affectionately called ‘Bijoya’.
- Tagore’s visit significantly influenced Argentine understanding of Indian philosophy and spurred a deep interest in Indian culture, dance, music, and yoga. Ocampo translated and promoted his works, and her magazine Sur was inspired by Tagore’s Vishva Quarterly, promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
- Commemorations: PM Modi paid respects at the statue of General José de San Martín, Argentina’s independence hero.
- State Honours & Hospitality: President Milei hosted a lunch, and PM Modi appreciated the warm hospitality.
- Strategic Partnership: India and Argentina upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2019.
- This visit aims to inject fresh momentum into the relationship.
- Shared Values: The relationship is built on shared democratic values, mutual economic interests, and a desire for multipolarity in global affairs.
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): PM Modi welcomed Argentina to join the International Big Cat Alliance, an India-led initiative for the conservation of seven big cat species (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, Cheetah), offering to share experiences and capacity building.
- People-to-People Linkages: Discussions included cooperation in sports (exchanging experiences in sports management, e.g., India’s strength in cricket, Argentina’s in football) and cooperation in the startup ecosystem, leveraging India’s position as the 3rd-largest startup ecosystem.
- Invitation to India: PM Modi invited President Milei to visit India at an early opportunity, including a visit to the Lion Sanctuary in Gujarat.
CONCLUSION
PM Modi’s visit to Argentina is a landmark event, signifying India’s deepening engagement with Latin America and its strategic pivot towards diversifying partnerships and securing critical resources. The wide-ranging discussions and agreements, encompassing energy, critical minerals, defence, health, digital innovation, and a strong shared stance against terrorism, highlight a comprehensive approach to elevating the bilateral strategic partnership. The enduring historical and cultural ties, exemplified by figures like Tagore and Ocampo, provide a unique and rich foundation for this evolving relationship, contributing to both nations’ growth and stability and strengthening the voice of the Global South in a multipolar world.
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