Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Argentina, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. According to the Indian Ambassador to Argentina, Ajaneesh Kumar, this visit is particularly important as it represents the first official bilateral meeting between the two countries at the Prime Ministerial level in 57 years.
The Prime Minister's agenda includes paying respects to General Jose de San Martin, a revered figure in Argentina's history, followed by a formal welcome ceremony and delegation-level discussions. A lunch hosted by Argentinian President Javier Milei is also on the schedule. Both leaders are expected to discuss matters of economic and trade interest with the goal of strengthening the ties between India and Argentina.
In addition to these formal engagements, PM Modi will also visit the iconic Boca Stadium in Buenos Aires. This stop highlights the importance of sports in fostering people-to-people connections between the two countries, as Argentina is well-known for its passion for football. The potential visit to Boca Juniors, Diego Maradona's former club, emphasizes the cultural significance of football in Argentina.
This visit is part of a larger five-nation tour that includes Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and Namibia. It also occurs after PM Modi's visit for the G20 summit in 2018. The fact that India and Argentina have been strategic partners since 2019 and recently celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations underscores the importance of this bilateral engagement. Bilateral trade between India and Argentina has more than doubled in three years, reaching USD 6.4 billion in 2022, which further emphasizes the growing economic ties between the two countries.