In an exclusive conversation with Bula Devi, Consulting Editor (International Affairs), His Excellency Mariano Agustín Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina to India, reflects on the evolving dynamics between India and Argentina. With recent high-level visits, expanding energy cooperation, critical minerals collaboration, and increasing strategic synergy, Ambassador Caucino offers deep insights into how both nations are reshaping their bilateral relationship in a rapidly shifting global order.

How do you view Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Argentina in terms of strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries?

We appreciated the visit very much. It was the first time in almost six decades that a Prime Minister of India made a bilateral visit to Argentina. While previous Prime Ministers, including Prime Minister Modi, had visited Argentina for multilateral events like the G20 in 2018, this was the first bilateral visit in 57 years. We value this moment immensely. Argentina and India have enjoyed a strong friendship for 75 years. Since 2019, we have had a strategic partnership, and trade between us has been around $5 billion. This visit marked a historic moment—more than a turning point, truly a milestone in the relationship.

Were there any specific agreements or frameworks signed during the recent visit that you believe will have a transformative impact on the India-Argentina relationship?

Argentina and India are collaborating in multiple areas. In agriculture, for instance, Argentina is the number one provider of soybean oil and number three in sunflower oil. There’s potential to increase cooperation in this area. However, we need more predictability from the Indian side. Certain products require time from production to delivery, and it’s important to ensure Indian consumers receive them efficiently.

In the field of lithium, Indian companies have made promising investments, particularly in the northern province of Catamarca. There’s also a proposal from Argentina to supply LNG gas to India. Argentina, while comparable in size to India, has only about 50 million people—so domestic consumption is relatively low. This allows us to supply energy and food to other nations. Argentina can play a key role in ensuring India’s food security. We also have a history of nuclear cooperation with India, and there’s scope to deepen that partnership. All these areas were discussed during Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with our President Javier Milei.

India and Argentina have shared values in multilateral fora such as the G20 and BRICS. How do you see this strategic alignment evolving in the current global geopolitical context?

Both countries are founding members of the G20 and collaborate effectively in this space. We share strong common ground, particularly in combating terrorism. The G20 is an important and representative platform, bringing together both developed and developing countries, more so than other outdated international institutions like the UN Security Council, which no longer fully reflect today’s geopolitical realities.

As for BRICS, Argentina decided not to join, so we are not part of that grouping. It’s a different context.