NEW DELHI, 14 September (H.S.) :The 7th round of Foreign Office
Consultations (FOCs) between India and Argentina took place in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, co-chaired by Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) and H.E. Mr.
Leopoldo Francisco Sahores, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. The last round
of FOCs was held in November 2021, in New Delhi.
Both sides engaged in comprehensive
discussions covering the entire gamut of their relationship. Besides political,
trade and economic relations, the two delegations reviewed other key areas of
cooperation including Healthcare and Pharma, Energy, Mining, Defence, Railways,
Nuclear, Space, Agriculture, culture and Consular issues. The two sides also
exchanged views on various regional and global issues of common interest.
Both sides agreed to enhance the
exchange of high-level visits. It was also agreed to hold the next round of
FOCs at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. The consultations provided an
opportunity to take stock of the bilateral engagements before the forthcoming
visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina to India.
There have been exchanges at the
highest level between the two countries. President Alberto Fernandez
participated in the 18th G20 Summit held in September 2023 in New Delhi.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Fernandez held first
bilateral meeting on 26 June 2022 on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Munich,
Germany.
From India, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi visited Buenos Aires to attend G20 Summit in November 2018. Earlier VVIP
visits to Argentina include those of PM PV Narasimha Rao in 1995 for G15
Summit; State Visit of President Gyani Zail Singh in 1984; PM Smt. Indira
Gandhi in 1968; and VP Dr S Radhakrishnan in 1954. VVIP visits from Argentina
include State Visit of President Mauricio Macri in February 2019; Private visit
of Vice President Ms. Gabriela Michetti in March 2019; State Visit of President
Ms. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in 2009; President Carlos Menem in March
1994 for G15 Summit; President Raul Alfonsin in 1985 as Chief Guest on Republic
Day; President Reynaldo Begnone in 1983 to attend NAM Summit and President
Arturo Frondizi in December 1961.
EAM visited Buenos Aires on 25-26 August 2022
for bilateral Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero.
He also met President Fernandez. EAM also had meetings with FM Cafiero on 1
March 2023 and 24 April 2022 during latter’s visit to Delhi for G20 Ministerial
and Raisina Dialogue respectively, besides a telephonic conversation on 14
January 2022.
India-Argentine bilateral trade has
rapidly grown in the last four years, more than doubling from USD 3 billion in
2019 to USD 6.4 billion in 2022. India maintained its status as 4th largest
trading partner of Argentina, second year in a row in 2022 Argentina continued
to have among the highest trade surpluses with India. Major items of India’s
exports to Argentina include petroleum oils, agro chemicals,
yarn-fabric-madeups, organic chemicals, bulk drugs and two-wheelers. Major
items of India’s imports from Argentina include vegetable oils (soybean and
sunflower), finished leather, cereals, residual chemicals and allied products
and pulses. Several Indian companies have established operations in Argentina
with a total investment of over USD 1 billion. These include TCS, Mahindra
Comviva, Infosys, AEGIS-Essar, Crisil, UPL, Advanta Seeds, Bajaj Motorcycles,
TVS, Royal Enfield, Hero Motors, Glenmark, Godrej and Sri Sri Tattva.
Argentina’s investment in India
stands at approximately USD 120 million. Argentine companies with presence in
India include Globant and OLX in IT services and TECHINT in the manufacturing
sector.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Nimish kumar