“It is in the economical field that I am pleased to highlight the remarkable progress in our bilateral trade over the past year. With a total trade volume reaching 4.6 billion US dollars, Argentina has solidified its position as the leading supplier of soybean oil to the Indian market and the third-largest provider of sunflower oil, significantly contributing to the food security of the Indian consumer. Furthermore, 2023 marked a significant milestone for Indian mining companies. The province of Catamarca is now hosting Indian firms that are not only exploring lithium but also showing interest in copper and gold,” Caucino mentioned on the occasion of celebration of the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations held in New Delhi recently.
These investments are particularly important as India advances its electric vehicle (EV) development, aiming to secure a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical minerals essential for various industries in India. “With satisfaction we announce that very recently the Argentine Government passed legislation promoting foreign investment in both Houses of Parliament.”
“We have witnessed, also, India's great achievements. Having become the world's fifth largest economy, India stands as the fastest growing democracy in Asia and probably in the World. We have great admiration for the high values and principles for which India stands. Most of whom are shared by Argentina. Both countries share common values regarding democracy, freedom and respect for human dignity.”
“Argentina and India worked together during the G20 India presidency last year, and we have supported each other in many multilateral forums. We observe the G20 as a meaningful platform to address what former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan described as “problems without passports”. Those that call for global solutions. Such as Terrorism, Cybercrime, proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the persistence of poverty,” the envoy said, adding, “We particularly thank India for its historical support on the "Malvinas Question" before the UN and to the Malvinas Commission here in India for its invaluable support and accompanying.”
Caucino informed, “The commitment of our private sectors is evident, with examples such as the Argentine IT company Globant, based in Pune, and the UPL Group, with facilities in Argentina. These collaborations reflect the deep and multifaceted nature of our partnership.”
In the field of culture, relations between Argentina and India are strong and even predate the establishment of diplomatic relations. Indeed, 100 years ago, in 1924, Rabindranath Tagore visited our country and stayed for two months as a guest of the renowned Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo.
The film Thinking About Him, an India-Argentina co-production talks about this encounter and was the closing film of the International Film Festival of Goa, in 2017, and is included in the upcoming Film Festival of Kolkata.
“In the field of Defense Cooperation, bonds between the two countries have been strengthened through collaboration in the realm of Defense and Military Strategy. Both Armed Forces have long enjoyed a relationship based on shared expertise, exchange opportunities and mutual support. In conclusion, our bonds are a model of international military cooperation based, built on Trust, Respect and a Shared Vision for a Secure and Peaceful World,” the envoy said, adding, Argentina and India had also worked together in the strategic field of Nuclear Cooperation. Argentine company INVAP successfully concluded the set-up of the Radioisotope Production Facility in Mumbai.
Caucino in the past has served as Argentine Ambassador to Costa Rica and Israel. Caucino is a lawyer and the author of a number of books and essays on Foreign Affairs and Contemporary History.
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