Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Argentina marks a significant moment in India-Argentina relations, evoking memories of India's historical ties with the South American nation. As PM Modi engages in discussions with Argentine President Javier Milei to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, the visit also serves as a reminder of past engagements, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visit to the country in 1968.
PM Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on July 5, 2025, at the invitation of President Milei, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years. He is on a five-nation tour to consolidate India's relationships with countries in the Global South. Before arriving in Argentina, PM Modi visited Ghana, and Trinidad and Tobago. After Argentina, he will head to Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit and then visit Namibia.
During his two-day official visit, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Milei to review existing cooperation and explore ways to strengthen the India-Argentina partnership in key sectors such as defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Prior to his visit, PM Modi stated that Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator within the G20. He expressed his eagerness to discuss advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.
India and Argentina share strong, multifaceted relations across a wide range of sectors, which have grown stronger over decades of collaboration. In February 2019, the relationship between the two countries was elevated to a Strategic Partnership. Both countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations on February 3, 2024, with numerous events held throughout the year to commemorate the occasion. These events culminated in the launch of a commemorative book titled "India-Argentina: 75 Años de Relaciones Diplomáticas" on December 19, 2024.
As PM Modi visits Argentina, it is worth noting the historical context of India's engagement with the country. Indira Gandhi's visit to Argentina in 1968 symbolizes the long-standing relationship between the two nations. During her visit, Ms. Gandhi visited the Grafa factory, a ranch in Buenos Aires, and the Universidad del Salvador, where she received an honorary doctorate in international relations.
India and Argentina's connection goes beyond political visits and includes cultural and intellectual exchanges. Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Argentina in 1924, during which he stayed as a guest of Victoria Ocampo, exemplifies this bond. Tagore wrote "Purabi," a collection of poems, about his time in Argentina, and Ms. Ocampo was awarded an honorary doctorate by Viswa Bharati University in 1968.
Looking ahead, PM Modi's visit to Argentina presents an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and explore new avenues for collaboration. Both India and Argentina share democratic values, have mutual economic interests and a desire for multipolarity in global affairs. With discussions planned in areas such as defence, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy, the visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation and pave the way for a stronger and more dynamic relationship between India and Argentina.
