New Delhi: Argentina’s Ambassador to India, H.E. Mariano Caucino, has underlined the growing strategic importance of India-Latin America relations, stating that India and the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region are “called to work together” because of their natural economic complementarities and shared values.

Speaking at the India-Latin America and Caribbean Roundtable at the India International Centre in New Delhi in June, Ambassador Caucino highlighted what he described as the “objective complementarity between India and Argentina”, noting that bilateral ties are rooted in common interests, democratic values and strong economic potential.

“India and our region are called to work together,” the Ambassador said, adding that relations between New Delhi and Buenos Aires are based on common interests, shared values and a high degree of economic complementarity.

Expanding Trade Relations

Ambassador Caucino noted that India has emerged as Argentina’s sixth-largest trading partner, reflecting the rapid growth of bilateral commerce and cooperation. “Although we are very far away countries, we are destined to continue collaborating for our mutual benefit,” he remarked.

The Ambassador stressed that policymakers and diplomatic establishments in both countries increasingly recognise India’s strategic importance on the global stage, pointing out that India has become one of the world’s five largest economies and remains the fastest-growing major economy.

Food Security Partnership

Highlighting Argentina’s contribution to India’s food security, the envoy said his country is currently India’s leading supplier of edible oils. Argentina exports soybean oil, sunflower oil, legumes and hides to India, while critical minerals such as lithium and copper are emerging as important components of bilateral trade.

Strategic Partnership

The Ambassador recalled that Argentina opened its Consulate General in Mumbai in 2009 and elevated bilateral relations with India to a Strategic Partnership in 2019. The same year also witnessed the establishment of Argentina’s Agriculture Attaché Office in New Delhi, which has contributed significantly to expanding agricultural trade between the two countries.

India exports pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, motorcycles, auto parts and manufactured goods to Argentina, creating a balanced and expanding commercial relationship.

Mining and Energy Cooperation

Ambassador Caucino described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2025 visit to Argentina as a landmark moment in bilateral relations, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.

He also highlighted growing Indian investments in Argentina’s mining sector, particularly in Catamarca province, where Indian companies are actively exploring lithium resources and evaluating opportunities in copper and gold.

“These investments are particularly important as India moves forward with the development of its electric vehicles, aiming to ensure a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical minerals,” the Ambassador noted.

The Ambassador concluded by noting that cooperation in energy and critical minerals has gained considerable momentum through recent institutional exchanges and business engagements, opening new avenues for long-term collaboration between India and Argentina.