The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Argentina, part of his five-nation tour of the Global South, marked a pivotal moment in India–Argentina relations. It was the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in over 57 years, signaling New Delhi’s growing strategic interest in Latin America.
In 2018, Modi attended the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires; this visit focused on deepening cooperation in critical areas such as energy, technology, trade, healthcare, and defense. Coming on the heels of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Argentina in 2024, the visit served as a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to long-term collaboration.
A major focus was energy security. Argentina, part of the Lithium Triangle along with Chile and Bolivia, holds vast reserves of lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries and clean energy storage. During the visit, India’s state-owned KABIL signed an agreement with CAMYEN, a mining company in Catamarca, to lease five lithium blocks—India’s first overseas lithium acquisition. Indian companies such as Coal India and Greenko are also actively exploring lithium projects in the region.
In oil and gas, discussions focused on Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale formation, one of the world’s largest. The president of Argentina’s state oil firm YPF visited India earlier in 2025 to explore LNG cooperation and joint exploration projects, building on a 2023 agreement with India’s ONGC Videsh Limited.
Nuclear energy also featured in the talks. India’s Heavy Water Board signed a supply agreement with Argentina’s Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. in late 2024 to support the operation of the country’s nuclear power plants. This deal highlights growing collaboration in sustainable and high-tech energy solutions.
On the trade front, India and Argentina discussed expanding the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance regional integration. While Argentina exports mainly agricultural and resource-based products like soybean oil, copper, and leather, India’s exports include pharmaceuticals, textiles, petroleum products, and two-wheelers. Indian firms in IT, consulting, and Ayurvedic products are also gaining ground in the Argentine market.
Defense cooperation is another area of progress. In 2023, Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana made the first official visit of its kind to India. This led to a deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Argentine Air Force for helicopter components and maintenance services, laying the groundwork for future defense-industrial partnerships.
Healthcare cooperation is growing as well. Modi proposed easing pharmaceutical regulations to improve Indian drug access to the Argentine market. Argentina responded positively, highlighting fast-track approval processes for medicines approved by top international regulators.
The visit also emphasized joint innovation in fields like satellite technology, nuclear medicine, clean energy, and digital agriculture. These efforts reflect shared development goals and a growing commitment to South-South collaboration.
Modi’s outreach to the Indian diaspora further underscored India’s evolving soft power strategy in Latin America. Overall, the visit signals a stronger, more diversified partnership poised to shape the future of India–Argentina relations within a multipolar global order.
