– Published in News Analytics May 2025 Edition
On the eve of Argentine Revolution Day on 25th May and completing 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Argentina, the Editor in Chief of News Analytics (NA), Ms. Sandhya Srivastava, interacted exclusively with H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustín Caucino, Honourable Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of India. Excerpts from the conversation.
TNH. Your Excellency, how do you interpret the evolution of Argentina-India relations since 1949 as both countries completed 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties?
Argentina and India have enjoyed friendly relations since 1949, when my country recognized independent India and established diplomatic ties with it, and especially since 1950, when an Embassy was established in Delhi. It should also be borne in mind that Argentina had established a General Consulate in the then city of Calcutta even before that, in the 1920s.
Argentina and India are both democracies -and federal democracies at that- and despite the cultural differences we share values regarding respect for human dignity and freedom. In recent years, the link between the two countries has evolved to an extent that today, India is one of the six main trade partners of Argentina. But I am convinced the best is yet to come because our economies are very complementary, our people have sympathy for each other, and we will be able to explore additional avenues for cooperation.
TNH. In 2019, both countries elevated their bilateral cooperation to a Strategic Partnership during the state visit of then President H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri to India. Could you elaborate on the key areas that have benefited from this enhanced collaboration?
Argentina is today India’s largest provider in terms of soyabean oil and we are number three regarding sunflower oil. I would say that despite geographical distance and cultural differences, we have developed a robust relationship, particularly in the economic sector. Our friendship is based on a common interest in common values; on a steady relationship of many, many years and on a mutually beneficial situation for the two countries.
Two areas that were specifically touched upon by President Macri and Prime Minister Modi on that occasion, and which represent important issues in the bilateral relationship, are nuclear energy and space research cooperation. Both India and Argentina are examples of Global South countries which have attained a very high degree of development in the nuclear and space arenas, and it was taking that into account as well as the maturity of our relations that in 2019 both leaders signed MoUs related to those matters, which we strive to develop even more.
TNH. The 7th India-Argentina Joint Commission Meeting was held in October 2024. What were the significant outcomes of this meeting, and how do they shape the future trajectory of our partnership?
We have complementary economic situations, and although we are very far away and we belong to different cultures, we are able to develop a very strong relationship, as we are doing. We had two visits of Horacio Marin, CEO and Chairman of YPF, Argentina’s largest oil and gas company, and MoUs were signed with Indian companies to establish Argentina as a key energy supplier to India. These were important steps in order to make Argentina a provider of energy supply to India, one of the largest economies in the world. It is now in the fifth, as I’ve said. It will soon become number three. It has a demand for energy and in that case, Argentina can provide energy. Argentina is already a great food security provider for India and can become an energy security provider too.
As far as lithium is concerned, recent years represented significant milestones for Indian mining companies, and we should add that the northern Argentine province (State, in Indian terms) of Catamarca is now hosting Indian firms that are not only exploring lithium but also showing interest in exploiting copper and gold. These investments are particularly important as India advances its electric vehicle (EV) development, aiming to secure a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical minerals essential for various industries in India. During February, we had the visit of Governor (equivalent of a Chief Minister in Argentina) Mr Raúl Jalil, of Catamarca province, who had very fruitful meetings with Secretary Kantha Rao along with MECL, KABIL, COAL India, among other important companies.
TNH. Defence cooperation has been identified as a key area of mutual interest. Could you highlight recent developments in this sector and any future plans for joint initiatives?
The two countries are working very closely in terms of exchange of military experiences and exercises, for example, in the Aconcagua and the Himalayas. At the same time, the Indian decision to deploy a Military Attaché in the Indian Embassy in Argentina is a very positive development.
TNH. How do Argentina and India collaborate on global security issues and what platforms facilitate this cooperation?
Argentina and India are two democracies and we are both G20 members. And although we belong to distant regions of the world and different cultures, we share values we believe in. Such as democracy, freedom, and respect for human life. Therefore, both countries are united in the fight against and condemnation of terrorism and extremism. It should also be reminded that in 2019, the then Argentine President and Mr Modi issued a joint communiqué regarding the condemnation of terrorist activity, a condemnation that also forms part of the bedrock of our current President, Javier Milei’s foreign policy. Tragically, both Argentina and India have been victims of terrorist activities in recent times. The joint combat against that hideous phenomenon also contributes to the strengthening of our bilateral relationship.
