Modi in Argentina Marks India’s Strategic Pivot in Latin America

Amid China’s $130 Billion Investment Footprint, Modi’s Outreach Aims to Deepen Trade, Lithium Ties, and Counter Beijing’s Influence

By MANISH ANAND

NEW DELHI, July 5, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Argentina — the first by an Indian PM in 57 years — signals a bold strategic shift in India’s foreign policy, with a renewed push to strengthen its economic and geopolitical presence in Latin America, a region where China has entrenched deep influence.

Modi’s stop in Buenos Aires, part of a five-nation tour, reinforces India’s Global South outreach, and comes as Argentina undergoes sweeping reforms under libertarian President Javier Milei. The two-day visit focused on advancing cooperation in defence, agriculture, lithium, oil and gas, digital infrastructure, and nuclear energy.

India sees Argentina’s vast lithium reserves — part of the “Lithium Triangle” — as crucial to its clean energy and electric vehicle goals. Indian PSUs like Khanij Bidesh India Ltd and Coal India Ltd have already secured lithium exploration rights in Argentina’s Catamarca province.

Argentina, meanwhile, is looking to diversify economic ties beyond China. President Milei views Modi as a key strategic partner. As reported by Argentine outlet Infobae, Milei wants to advance a “broad agenda” with India, including bilateral trade, nuclear cooperation, and green energy. Argentine business leaders have set a goal of expanding bilateral trade to $8 billion within the next 3–4 years.

While China has poured over $130 billion into Latin America through infrastructure and resource investments, India is pitching itself as a collaborative partner offering sustainable, non-extractive engagement. Indian officials stressed the focus on technology transfer, digital innovation, and low-cost satellite and healthcare models. Modi’s symbolic visit to the Boca Juniors stadium, a tribute to football icon Diego Maradona, also reinforced soft diplomacy and cultural ties.

India’s current trade with Latin America stands at around $50 billion, a fraction of China’s $450 billion. However, Argentina’s political realignment under Milei — with stronger Western and Indian outreach — offers India an opening to rebalance regional partnerships.

The visit also complements New Delhi’s global strategy, seen in recent partnerships with Italy in defence and cultural diplomacy initiatives like taking foreign diplomats to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela.

By cementing ties with Argentina at a pivotal moment, Modi is not just expanding India’s global influence — he’s planting the tricolour deeper in a region long dominated by China.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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