Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on July 5 for a two-day bilateral visit—marking the first standalone visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in nearly six decades. On arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome. While he had visited Argentina in 2018 for the G20 Summit, this marks the first dedicated bilateral trip since 1968.
The visit aims to bolster India-Argentina relations, with a strong focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade, and investment, as well as fostering deeper people-to-people ties. Of particular interest to India are Argentina’s abundant natural resources, including lithium, copper, and shale gas—critical components for India’s energy diversification strategy.
In the defence domain, both countries are exploring collaboration opportunities in joint training, co-production, and technology transfer. Argentina has expressed interest in India’s indigenously developed defence systems, particularly the Tejas light combat aircraft.
Bilateral trade between India and Argentina has more than doubled over the past three years, reaching a record $6.4 billion in 2022. India is currently Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner and export destination.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Argentine President Javier Milei. The leaders are expected to review existing partnerships and chart new avenues of cooperation, particularly in agriculture, energy, mining, and cultural exchange. As part of his itinerary, PM Modi will also pay homage to national hero General José de San Martín and visit the iconic Boca Juniors Stadium to observe Argentina’s rich football heritage.
This visit marks a significant milestone in India-Argentina diplomatic ties and reflects India’s strategic outreach to Latin America and the broader Global South. Argentina, a key economic player in the region and a close partner in the G20, plays a pivotal role in India’s global engagement strategy. The visit also comes ahead of the BRICS Summit in Brazil, reinforcing Argentina’s growing relevance in India’s foreign policy.