India-Argentina Relations
India and Argentina marked milestone in 2025 with the first bilateral visit by an Prime Minister of India in 57 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on July 4 as part of his five-nation tour of the Global South. The visit focused on deepening ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation in trade, energy, defence, and culture.
Recent Diplomatic Engagement
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Argentina was historic as it was the first by an Indian leader since Indira Gandhi’s 1968 trip. Modi met President Javier Milei, sharing a warm exchange symbolising growing friendship. Discussions aimed to enhance bilateral relations, especially in critical sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and mining. Argentina is a key supplier of lithium, an essential mineral for India’s green energy ambitions. The two countries also reviewed ongoing defence and trade partnerships.
Historical Context of India-Argentina Relations
Diplomatic relations between India and Argentina began over 75 years ago. The ties date back even further to 1848 when Argentine Lucio V. Mansilla visited India. His travel writings reveal early Argentine perspectives on Indian society and culture, although coloured by colonial attitudes of that era. The last visit by an Prime Minister of India before Modi was by Indira Gandhi in 1968 during her South America tour.
Cultural and Intellectual Exchanges
Rabindranath Tagore’s 1924 visit to Argentina had a lasting cultural impact. Invited to South America, Tagore stayed in Buenos Aires, where he was hosted by writer Victoria Ocampo. Their friendship inspired cross-cultural dialogue and a greater appreciation of Indian art, philosophy, and literature in Argentina. Ocampo translated Tagore’s work and promoted Indian culture through her influential magazine Sur, which was modelled after Tagore’s Vishva Quarterly.
Economic and Strategic Cooperation
India and Argentina have expanded cooperation in sectors crucial for economic growth and sustainability. Argentina’s lithium reserves are vital for India’s transition to renewable energy technologies. Both nations are exploring partnerships in defence manufacturing, oil and gas, and agriculture. Trade between the two countries has grown steadily, with India ranking as Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2024.
Significance of the 2025 Visit
The 2025 visit symbolises a renewed commitment to strengthen ties between two democracies in the Global South. It marks India’s outreach to Latin America and Argentina’s strategic importance in India’s global partnerships. The visit also puts stress on cultural diplomacy as a foundation for deeper economic and political cooperation.
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