India–Argentina Advance Cooperation in Lithium, Energy and Agriculture; SPS Talks Open Market Access for Indian Farm Products

India–Argentina Strengthen Pharma Market Access, Expand Cooperation in Digital, Space and Emerging Technologies

Largest-Ever Indian Business Delegation to Argentina Explores New Avenues for Trade and Investment

The Fourth Meeting of the India–Argentina Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held on 24 August 2026 at Palacio San Martín, Buenos Aires. The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal, while the Argentine delegation was led by Ambassador Fernando Brun, Secretary for International Economic Relations. Both sides reviewed progress on the roadmap agreed during Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Argentina in 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the strategic and economic partnership between the two countries.

Bilateral trade between India and Argentina crossed USD 6.5 billion in 2025, registering consistent annual growth of over 17 per cent. India has emerged as Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner, highlighting the significant potential for further expansion and diversification of the bilateral trade basket. Argentina’s ongoing efforts to facilitate foreign trade, reduce non-tariff barriers and promote investment are expected to support greater participation by Indian companies in the Argentine market. Both sides emphasised the importance of ensuring greater reciprocity and a more balanced framework of opportunities for businesses as the economic partnership expands.

Investment opportunities across mining, energy and infrastructure were also discussed, including the continued engagement of India’s KABIL in Argentina’s lithium sector. KABIL’s mining activities in Catamarca, the first lithium mining initiative by an Indian company in Argentina, have progressed significantly with the completion of Phase II drilling. Opportunities for further engagement in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy are also being explored to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The discussions also noted encouraging progress in facilitating the entry of Indian agricultural products into the Argentine market. Technical-level discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are advancing for Indian onions, milk and milk products, grapes, potatoes, bananas and pulses, marking an important step towards their market access. These developments are expected to create greater opportunities for Indian farmers and exporters, strengthen bilateral agricultural trade and contribute to India’s broader objective of achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.

Significant progress was also made in facilitating market access for Indian pharmaceutical products. Argentina has committed to work towards upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I under its pharmaceutical regulatory framework and reducing barriers to entry. This is expected to provide greater opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical companies and contribute to improving access to quality and affordable healthcare in Argentina. Building on the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between Argentina’s ANMAT and India’s CDSCO, both sides also committed to strengthening cooperation through joint initiatives in Ayurveda and Yoga.

Emerging areas of cooperation, including aviation, space technology, telecommunications and digital services, were identified as areas offering further opportunities for both countries, particularly in 5G, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

The India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement also remains an important avenue for expanding market access and strengthening economic integration. Progress on the Terms of Reference, along with the adoption of digital certificates of origin, is expected to facilitate trade and make cross-border commerce more efficient for businesses.

The JTC was followed by a meeting with Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, H.E. Mr. Pablo Quirno, along with representatives of the G6 industry chambers. The interaction provided valuable insights from the Argentine business community on opportunities within the India–Argentina economic relationship and reinforced the importance of aligning government initiatives with the needs and aspirations of industry.

Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal also held meetings with Mr. Sergio Iraeta, National Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, to review the roadmap on onions, citrus, dairy, walnuts, grapes and bananas; Mr. Alejandro Cacace, Secretary of Deregulation, to discuss non-tariff barriers and regulatory recognition for Indian pharmaceuticals; and Secretary of Innovación, Ciencia y Tecnología Mrs. Adriana Baravalle, along with Ms. Josefina Pérez of CONAE and Ms. Jimena Schiaffino, Director for the Nuclear and Space Sector, to discuss space and nuclear cooperation, including a proposed ISRO–CONAE meeting.

The engagement was further strengthened through the India–Argentina Business Forum, held on 25 August 2026 at Palacio San Martín. The Forum brought together government representatives and leading businesses from both countries. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal led the first and largest-ever Indian business delegation to Argentina, comprising more than 25 business leaders, including representatives from UPL, Kirloskar and Aditya Birla Group. The delegation engaged with the Argentine business community to translate the shared vision of the two countries into tangible commercial outcomes.

The Forum provided an important platform for Indian companies to engage directly with their Argentine counterparts, identify new avenues for trade and investment, and explore partnerships across key sectors, including agriculture, minerals, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism, banking and telecommunications. Discussions focused on translating government-to-government engagement into tangible commercial outcomes by improving market access, addressing regulatory and trade barriers and facilitating greater business-to-business engagement.

The India–Argentina economic partnership presents significant opportunities to expand trade, deepen investment and create new avenues for value creation. Strengthening cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors can further contribute to the growth and prosperity of both economies.