Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on July 4–5, 2025, embarking on a two‑day bilateral visit — the first by an Indian PM in 57 years. This visit marks the third leg of his ambitious five‑nation tour across Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

Arrival & Ceremony
Touching down at Ezeiza International Airport on Friday evening (local time), PM Modi received a ceremonial guard of honour. From the onset, his arrival exuded warmth and camaraderie — notably, a heartfelt welcome from Argentina’s Indian diaspora at the Alvear Palace Hotel, despite their relatively small size (around 3,000 people). They greeted him with chants of “Modi‑Modi,” “Jai Hind,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” alongside vibrant cultural dance performances.

Historic Context & Diplomatic Momentum
This official bilateral visit is momentous: while PM Modi had previously visited Argentina in 2018 for the G20 summit, this is the first India‑Argentina PM‑level bilateral meeting since 1968. Argentina and India elevated their diplomatic relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2019 and celebrated 75 years of formal relations in 2024 . The visit underscores India’s deepening engagement with the Global South, embedding it firmly within its broader diplomatic outreach.

The MEA outlines an expansive cooperation agenda covering defence, agriculture, mining (notably critical minerals like lithium and copper), oil & gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, digital infrastructure, telemedicine, education, and cultural exchanges.

Economic & Strategic Priorities
One of the central pillars of this visit is tackling India’s strategic need for critical minerals — especially lithium — essential for its green energy transition and to meet net‑zero goals by 2070. Argentina, part of the famed “Lithium Triangle,” holds massive brine-based lithium deposits in provinces such as Catamarca. In August 2022, India’s KABIL secured an agreement to explore five lithium blocks in Catamarca, with MOU negotiations progressing in February 2025. Argentina’s Ambassador Luke Gobbi stressed:

“The production of lithium in Argentina would link both economies for a very long time.”

Beyond lithium, Argentina’s vast shale gas (Vaca Muerta) and oil reserves are drawing India’s attention as potential sources of energy security and trade diversification. Moreover, partnerships extend into traditional sectors like agriculture, where Argentina remains a key supplier of sunflower and soybean oils , and defence — with preliminary talks ongoing around India’s Tejas fighter aircraft and helicopter collaborations.

Scheduled Bilateral Engagements
PM Modi’s agenda includes:

• Paying respects at a statue of Argentina’s independence hero, General José de San Martín, in Buenos Aires.
• Formal delegation-level talks with President Javier Milei, followed by a working lunch at the presidential palace.
• A Business Summit focused on mining, energy, and trade cooperation, leveraging Argentina’s position as Latin America’s third-largest economy.
• A cultural evening with the Indian community.

Argentine press also suggests that discussions with key ministers — Trade, Energy, Agriculture — may include formal agreements on areas like lithium, LNG, nuclear cooperation, defence equipment and joint ventures.

Perspectives & Long-Term Vision
Experts underscore the diplomatic significance of this visit. StratNewsGlobal notes that while Argentina is not joining BRICS+, India still views it as a strategic economic and trade partner, especially given its unmatched potential in energy and mineral resources. The Financial Times emphasizes India’s drive to secure minerals to achieve its ambitious electric-vehicle adoption (30% EV by 2030) and reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

Meanwhile, MEA Secretary P. Kumaran highlighted that Argentina’s ongoing economic liberalization mirrors India’s post‑1991 reforms, making the timing ideal for leveraging India’s strengths in digital infrastructure, telehealth, and space & defence technology.

Culturally, the visit reinforces soft-power ties: India’s philosophy, yoga, Ayurvedic outreach, and expanding educational partnerships across universities and telemedicine networks are set to deepen societal connections.

Looking Ahead
Modi’s Argentina visit sets the stage for a robust framework that may include:

• Finalizing lithium mining and energy deals.
• Formalizing defence and space-sector cooperation.
• Enhancing trade relations, especially in agro-products and critical minerals.
• Deepening digital and health-connectivity alliances.
• Boosting people-to-people ties through cultural, educational, and diaspora engagements.

Following Argentina, PM Modi will proceed to Brazil for the BRICS Summit (July 5–8), then onto Namibia (July 9), underscoring a concerted effort to expand India’s influence within the Global South.