Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 4, 2025, marking a historic diplomatic milestone. This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years, the last being by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968. While PM Modi had earlier visited Argentina during the G20 Summit in 2018, this visit is focused entirely on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
High-Level Reception and Strategic Meetings
Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was received with ceremonial honours and paid tribute at the statue of General José de San Martín, a national hero of Argentina. He was welcomed by President Javier Milei, with whom he will hold summit-level talks aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.
The official engagements include a state banquet, delegation-level talks, and the signing of agreements covering trade, defence, energy, and technology collaboration.
Focus Areas of Bilateral Engagement
During this landmark visit, the key sectors under discussion include:
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Critical Minerals: Argentina is one of the world’s largest holders of lithium reserves, a vital resource for India’s clean energy transition. Enhanced cooperation in lithium mining and processing is a top priority.
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Defence and Security: The two nations are exploring the possibility of defence technology exchange and joint manufacturing.
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Agriculture and Food Security: India is looking to deepen its imports of agricultural commodities such as edible oils, while also sharing agricultural technologies with Argentina.
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Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Discussions will include collaboration in solar energy, biofuels, and green hydrogen.
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Digital Public Infrastructure: India’s experience in scalable digital governance tools such as Aadhaar, UPI, and telemedicine is of interest to Argentina.
Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties
India and Argentina have witnessed steady growth in bilateral trade, with commerce expanding in the areas of pharmaceuticals, vehicles, IT services, and agri-products. India imports a significant volume of sunflower and soybean oil from Argentina, while Argentine companies are increasingly interested in Indian markets.
This visit is expected to catalyse investments from both public and private sectors, creating pathways for economic cooperation in emerging technologies and sustainable industries.
Global South Diplomacy and Strategic Outreach
The Argentina visit forms part of Prime Minister Modi’s broader diplomatic tour across Latin America and Africa, focusing on engaging the Global South. Before arriving in Argentina, the Prime Minister visited Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. His itinerary will continue with engagements in Brazil for the BRICS Summit and conclude with a visit to Namibia.
This outreach signals India’s intention to build strong partnerships with like-minded developing nations and promote a multipolar global order.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Argentina not only revives a long-dormant diplomatic channel but also redefines the contours of India–Argentina relations. With a strong emphasis on critical minerals, renewable energy, defence collaboration, and digital innovation, this visit underscores India’s proactive role in global diplomacy and sustainable development. As both countries work toward mutually beneficial cooperation, the visit is set to mark the beginning of a new strategic partnership for the decades ahead.
