New Delhi, 24 September (H.S.): Argentina is taking steps to facilitate travel for Indian tourists and strengthen tourism and business ties with India, Argentine Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino said at the Iconic Tourism Summit in New Delhi on Thursday.

Caucino said Indian nationals holding a valid US visa have been eligible since August 2025 to travel to Argentina as tourists for up to 90 days without an Argentine visa. He also said Indian nationals can obtain a five-year business visa free of charge.

The Ambassador said the measures were part of Argentina's broader effort to strengthen people-to-people ties with India. He linked tourism cooperation with wider bilateral engagement in areas including energy security and food security, and expressed hope that India would consider reciprocal visa facilities for Argentine travellers.

On air connectivity, Caucino said the civil aviation authorities of India and Argentina were negotiating an Air Services Agreement. He said the proposed agreement would give airlines from both countries greater flexibility to operate flights and facilitate arrangements such as code-sharing.

He said Argentina had signed air transport agreements with more than 55 countries since the current government took office as part of its policy of opening up the country's air transport market. Greater flexibility for airlines, he said, could lead to more routes, increased competition and better fares.

Caucino also highlighted Argentina's digital nomad visa, under which professionals working remotely for overseas companies can stay in Argentina for up to six months, with the possibility of a further six-month renewal.

He said India's growing pool of young technology professionals and Argentina's startup ecosystem offered scope for cooperation. Argentina could consider extending the digital nomad visa to Indian nationals, he said, while adding that reciprocal measures from India would help advance such initiatives.

The Ambassador said India was currently Argentina's sixth-largest economic partner and noted the growing importance of bilateral economic relations.

Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed USD 6.5 billion in 2025, he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar