Modi’s 2025 visit to Argentina opened new avenues in India’s lithium diplomacy, food security, and South-South strategic collaboration—marking a shift from transactional trade to development-first engagement.”
New Delhi (ABC Live): Modi’s Argentina Visit: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 state visit to Argentina, India took significant diplomatic strides toward economic and strategic collaboration.
As the world races toward a green energy future, India is quietly forging a new diplomatic and resource compact with Argentina. From lithium to soybean oil, and from space cooperation to nuclear technology, this strategic relationship is not just about trade—it’s about recalibrating global South-South alliances beyond China’s extractive model.
Argentina: Gateway to the “Lithium Triangle”
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Argentina is part of the global Lithium Triangle (with Bolivia & Chile), holding ~75% of known lithium reserves ICWA+15Wikipedia+15The Times of India+15.
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According to the USGS, Argentina has 3.6–4 million tonnes of lithium reserves and produced 9,600?t in 2023, with production surging to 18,000?t in 2024 EVreporter+1Wikipedia+1.
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In comparison: Chile holds 9.3?Mt and Australia 7?Mt Wikipedia+3Investing News Network (INN)+3EVreporter+3.
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Interpretation: Argentina’s position makes it an essential partner for India, especially for securing brine-extracted lithium, which is cheaper and faster to produce than Australia’s hard-rock method.
2. ?? India’s Push for Critical Minerals
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India has domestic lithium reserves too: 5.9?Mt discovered in Jammu & Kashmir, ranking it 7th globally India Briefing+15Wikipedia+15pv magazine India+15.
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However, extraction infrastructure is lagging, prompting India to expand overseas cooperation YourStory.com+11TDHJ.org+11Financial Times+11.
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India signed an MoU in Feb 2025 via MECL & KABIL to explore five lithium blocks in Argentina’s Catamarca Wikipedia+10pv magazine India+10Financial Times+10.
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Additionally, Coal India is engaging with a U.S. firm to explore Argentine lithium under the Minerals Security Partnership Reuters+1Financial Times+1.
3. ? Trade Snapshot: Soybean Oil & Food Security
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In 2024, India imported ?$2.69?bn in soybean oil from Argentina Trading Economics.
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Soybean oil alone forms ~84% of Argentina’s exports to India—a notably skewed profile The Observatory of Economic Complexity.
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India’s edible oil imports came under pressure due to domestic soybean acreage decline (10–20% below support prices), pushing costs higher Cancillería Argentina+6Reuters+6Reuters+6.
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Result: India’s new deal includes offshore green-food reserves in Argentina, bolstering food security against global supply shocks.
4. ?? Space & Nuclear Collaboration
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ISRO and Argentina’s space agency signed agreements for ground stations and satellite imagery sharing, enhancing Argentina’s agriculture and mineral mapping capabilities.
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Similarly, Argentina and India are collaborating in civil nuclear technology, marking growing trust in civilian cooperation.
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These partnerships—alongside mining—underscore a comprehensive developmental alliance, distinct from resource-only deals.
5. ? Diplomatic & Multilateral Alignments
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Argentina acts as a norm-entrepreneur, supporting reforms in UN Security Council, IMF, WTO, G20—aligning with India’s multilateral objectives Financial Times+1Reuters+1pv magazine India+1The Observatory of Economic Complexity+1.
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India views Argentina as a multi-polar partner, not a client, fitting its “Mineral-First Multilateralism” and strategic autonomy approaches.
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The trip enhances India’s Latin America pivot, expanding diplomatic focus and reinforcing Global South leadership.
? Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric/Area | Argentina | India |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Reserves | ~4?Mt (2024) — 3rd globally Financial TimesInvesting News Network (INN)+1U.S. Geological Survey+1 | 5.9?Mt domestic (J&K), 7th globally |
| Lithium Production (2024) | 18,000?t — fast growth | Minimal (brine/hard rock), hence foreign deals |
| Soybean Oil Imports (2024) | $2.69?bn — ~84% of AG exports to India | Down domestic soybean, reliant on Argentina |
| Trade Balance (2024) | Exports: $79.7?bn (+19.4%) / Imports: $60.8?bn — surplus $18.9?bn | Imports vital commodities (oil, lithium) |
| Strategic Deals Signed | Lithium MoU, offshore food-storage deal, space/nuclear pacts | Lithium exploration blocks, grain reserve sites |
? Summary: Why Modi’s Argentina Visit Matters – Data Speaks
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Lithium security: Solidifies India’s access to ~4?Mt of global lithium, with fast production ramp-up in Argentina.
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Tech and capacity-building: India embeds PSUs like KABIL into mining and partners in space/nuclear tech—not just resource exports.
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Food resilience: Green reserves in Argentina offset India’s shrinking soybean base.
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Global South alliance: Aligns diplomatic norms, ensures strategic autonomy, and elevates India’s Latin America role.
? References & Best Publications
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USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries on lithium reserves & production Wikipedia+15U.S. Geological Survey+15TDHJ.org+15pv magazine IndiaReuters
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Financial Times and Reuters on PM Modi’s Latin America outreach and minerals push
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India Briefing on India–Argentina trade (soybean oil focus) India Briefing
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Times of India / PV Magazine India on MECL/KABIL Lithium MoU
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