PM Modi’s Historic Visit To Argentina

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years, as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic ties across multiple sectors and supporting a unified Global South.
Modi paid tribute at the statue of General José de San Martín, a national hero who helped liberate Argentina, Peru, and Chile from Spanish rule.
Prime Minister received a special honour in Argentina – the “Key to the City of Buenos Aires”.

Trade & Economic Engagement

PM Modi emphasised diversifying the trade basket and expanding economic cooperation.
The leaders discussed enhancing the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, to unlock greater potential in bilateral commerce.
India was Argentina’s 5th largest trading partner in 2024, with future collaboration expected to grow in the mineral, technology, and energy sectors.
Argentina’s rich reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, copper and rare earth elements complement India’s growing need for secure and sustainable supplies to these elements for its clean energy transition and industrial growth.

Historical Significance

First Argentine Visit to India Was in 1848

Lucio V. Mansilla, a 17-year-old Argentine, visited India in 1848.
His travel journal, Diario de viaje a Oriente (1850–51), documented his impressions of India, though shaped by colonial perspectives.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Transformative Stay in 1924

During his stay, he composed the poetry collection Purabi, dedicated to writer Victoria Ocampo, whom he called ‘Bijoya’.
Ocampo later became a champion of Indian culture, translating his work and promoting Indian arts and philosophy through her magazine Sur, inspired by Tagore’s Vishva Quarterly.

About Argentina

Located in southern South America.
Boundaries: Chile (west); Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay (north); Maritime- Atlantic Ocean (east).
Argentina-Chile international border is the 3rd longest globally after USA-Canada and Kazakhstan-Russia.
Southernmost City: Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city.
Terrains:
- Andes Mountains (West): Includes Mount Aconcagua (6,959 m), the highest peak in South America
- Pampas: Treeless, fertile plains ideal for agriculture and cattle grazing
- Patagonia: Cold, arid region in the south with glaciers and steppe landscapes
- Gran Chaco & Mesopotamia: Subtropical lowlands with seasonal rivers and wetlands
Major Rivers: Paraná, Uruguay, Pilcomayo, Bermejo, Santa Cruz
River Mouth: Río de la Plata (formed by Paraná and Uruguay rivers)
Climate: Mostly temperate; arid in the southeast; subantarctic in the southwest
Natural Resources: Ranks 3rd in global lithium reserves, 4th largest lithium producer globally.
Argentina holds the world’s second largest shale gas reserves and the fourth largest shale oil reserves .

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