July 7, 2025
This visit marks the first standalone trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years, coinciding with 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations
The leaders agreed to diversify the bilateral trade basket and instructed the creation of a joint working group on agriculture
Modi sought Argentina’s support to expand the India-MERCOSUR preferential trade agreement to further deepen regional trade engagement
Strategic cooperation in sectors like space, health, pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, and technology was reaffirmed by both sides
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Argentine President Javier Milei agreed to strengthen the India-Argentina strategic partnership by expanding cooperation across key sectors including defence, security, energy, and mineral resources. The leaders met in Buenos Aires during Modi’s two-day visit, which forms the third leg of his five-nation tour.
Although Modi previously visited Argentina in 2018 for the G20 Summit, this is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American country in 57 years. The meeting coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and five years since the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders emphasised the need to diversify the trade basket and unlock new opportunities in areas such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and sports. Modi described his interaction with Milei as excellent and expressed optimism about the future of the partnership.
Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the talks covered collaboration in trade, technology, defence, space, health and pharmaceuticals. The two leaders agreed to enhance market access for agricultural goods and tasked their respective teams with forming a joint working group on agriculture.
Modi also sought Argentina’s support for expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, highlighting the potential to boost trade between the two economies and the broader Latin American region. The MERCOSUR bloc includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
India and Argentina already collaborate in several strategic areas including critical minerals, particularly lithium, which is crucial for India’s green energy ambitions. An MoU on mineral cooperation was signed in August 2022, and the first meeting of the joint working group under this agreement was held in January.
India-Argentina bilateral trade has been steadily rising. From 2019 to 2022, trade volume more than doubled, peaking at USD 6.4 billion in 2022. In 2024, total bilateral trade stood at USD 5.23 billion, making India Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner and export destination.
Source: NDTV