India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on Saturday, where he received a warm and enthusiastic reception. Accordingly, PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official bilateral visit to Argentina in nearly six decades. He was received by Argentine President Javier Milei at the iconic Casa Rosada, where the two leaders held extensive discussions aimed at boosting ties between the two nations. The visit comes during PM Modi’s ongoing multi-nation tour, with Argentina being his third stop. From here, he will travel to Brazil to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit.
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Modi’s arrival was marked by ceremonial honours, followed by a heartfelt tribute at the San Martín Memorial, dedicated to General José de San Martín, the revered liberator of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The visit was a mix of diplomacy and deep historical symbolism. Additionally, in Buenos Aires, the Prime Minister received a grand welcome from the Indian community, who turned out in large crowds to welcome him. The excited crowds gathered outside his hotel waved Indian flags with pride, welcoming Modi with vibrant traditional dances and chanting spirited slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi-Modi.” The atmosphere was warm, highlighting a strong bond and celebration. Modi stepped out to greet the Indian diaspora, expressing gratitude for their immense support. “Distance means little when hearts are connected. Thank you to the Indian diaspora here for such a warm welcome,” he later wrote on social media.
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The visit holds added significance as India and Argentina mark 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. Modi and Milei used the occasion to reflect on past progress while outlining a shared vision for the future. In his remarks following the meeting, the Prime Minister described the talks as “excellent,” noting that both countries had made “significant progress” but saw even greater potential ahead. During their conversation, the two leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and identified opportunities for deeper cooperation across several key sectors. Trade, defence, energy, and agriculture were among the top areas of focus. Both leaders expressed a desire to broaden economic ties, particularly in emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals, sports, and critical minerals.
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The strategic importance of lithium, a crucial component in renewable energy technologies, gained prominence in discussions. Argentina and India own vast reserves of this mineral, and India is eager to secure stable access to fuel its green energy transition. Additionally, talks were held in both restricted and expanded formats, with delegations from both sides participating. Other areas of collaboration discussed included oil and gas, nuclear energy, information technology, digital infrastructure, space, railways, science and technology, and the use of drones in agriculture and fisheries. The leaders also looked at how to expand cooperation under the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
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In a statement, PM Modi said, “President Milei and I had an in-depth discussion on how to diversify and deepen our commercial and strategic ties. There is immense scope in sectors like pharmaceuticals, sports, and digital technology.” The issue of global security was also on the agenda. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Milei for Argentina’s strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The two reaffirmed their shared commitment to fighting terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
Before wrapping his tour in Buenos Aires, Prime Minister Modi paid floral honor to the busts of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, demonstrating the two nations’ cultural and philosophical linkages. Furthermore, President Milei praised Modi’s historic visit and accepted his offer to visit India on a mutually agreed date. Currently, India is one of Argentina’s top five trading partners, with an annual trade worth $5.23 billion in 2024. As the two nations continue to strengthen their cordial relationships, Saturday’s meeting revealed a strong desire to take their relations to the next level, not only bilaterally but also worldwide, particularly by supporting the voice of the Global South.
