PM Modi, President Milei Vow to Boost India-Argentina Strategic Ties, Expand Defence & Trade Cooperation
Buenos Aires, July 5, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Argentine President Javier Milei on Saturday agreed to diversify and expand the India-Argentina partnership, focusing on defence, security, agriculture, energy, and critical minerals. This engagement marks a major milestone in bilateral ties and signals a renewed push by India to strengthen relations with Latin America.
In what is the first Indian Prime Ministerial bilateral visit to Argentina in 57 years, PM Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday evening as part of the third leg of his ongoing five-nation diplomatic tour. His previous visit to Argentina in 2018 was for the G20 Summit.
Historic Talks in Buenos Aires
During their wide-ranging talks, Modi and Milei vowed to deepen the strategic partnership, enhance defence cooperation, and expand trade across key sectors.
“We are marking 75 years of India-Argentina diplomatic relations and 5 years since we elevated our relationship to a Strategic Partnership. We have covered significant ground in our bilateral relations, but we agree that the journey ahead is even more promising,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi described his meeting with President Milei as "excellent" and said there is immense scope for collaboration in areas like pharmaceuticals and sports, in addition to traditional sectors like agriculture and energy.
Keqy Highlights from the Modi-Milei Meeting
- Strategic Expansion: Both sides reaffirmed commitment to the 2019 upgrade of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during then-President Mauricio Macri’s visit to India.
- Defence Cooperation: Emphasis was laid on advancing defence ties, given the shared strategic interests of the two democracies.
- Diversifying Trade: The leaders agreed to diversify the trade basket to unlock new opportunities in sectors like tech, space, pharma, and nuclear energy.
- Agriculture Boost: A joint working group on agriculture will be established to expand market access for farm products.
- MERCOSUR Agreement: PM Modi urged Argentina to support the expansion of the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to increase economic exchanges with the South American trade bloc.
India-MERCOSUR Trade Pact: A Gateway to Latin America
The MERCOSUR bloc—comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay—is a key regional partner for India. PM Modi’s push for expanding the PTA is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance India’s trade footprint in Latin America.
“Strengthening India-MERCOSUR trade relations will be mutually beneficial and a strategic economic priority,” said MEA Secretary (East) Periasamy Kumaran at a press briefing in Buenos Aires.
India is already Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner and export destination. The bilateral trade peaked at $6.4 billion in 2022, more than doubling from 2019. In 2024, the figure stood at $5.23 billion, showcasing resilient trade flows despite global volatility.
Lithium and Mineral Resources: A Green Energy Link
A key component of the strategic partnership is the mineral resources sector, especially lithium, a critical resource for India’s transition to green energy and electric vehicles. Argentina, part of the ‘Lithium Triangle’, is among the world’s top producers of the mineral.
An MoU on mineral resources cooperation was signed in August 2022, and the first Joint Working Group meeting under its framework was held in January 2025. The recent talks are expected to further accelerate progress in this domain.
Beyond Trade: Broader Areas of Cooperation
The leaders also discussed expanding ties in the following areas:
- Technology and Innovation
- Space Cooperation
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Oil and Gas Exploration
- Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges
Argentina is among a handful of countries in Latin America with which India enjoys such a wide-ranging partnership.
Looking Ahead: A Symbolic and Strategic Visit
Mr. Modi's visit is being seen as a landmark moment not just in bilateral terms but also in India’s broader “Global South” diplomacy. It signals a shift in India’s foreign policy narrative—one that seeks new alliances beyond its traditional spheres of influence.
The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to President Milei to visit India and explore the Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat, highlighting the personal touch to the diplomacy.
“He promised it will be an enjoyable experience for him,” said Secretary Kumaran.
Final Thoughts
As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, India's strategic engagement with Argentina signals its intent to become a bridge between Asia and Latin America—focusing on mutual growth, technological cooperation, and shared democratic values.
With enhanced trade, stronger defence ties, and a focus on critical minerals, this visit lays the foundation for a robust, forward-looking partnership between India and Argentina.