Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri, accompanied by senior government officials and a business delegation, arrived in New Delhi on 17th February 2019 for a three-day India visit, during which he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance cooperation in key sectors such as economy, nuclear technology and space.
i. He was invited by PM Modi on occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of India.
ii. He was received at the airport by Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore.Before reaching Delhi, he visited the Taj Mahal in Agra this morning.
iii. President Ram Nath Kovind met Mr. Macri on 18 February 2019 and hosted a banquet in his honour.
10 Agreements and MoUs signed during the visit
Argentina became the 72nd country to sign the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).The agreement was signed by Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie in the presence of ISA’s Director-General Upendra Tripathy.
i. 6 MoUs were exchanged between the two sides:
- MoU on Defence Cooperation.
- MoU on Tourism
- MoU on Collaboration and Cooperation between Prasar Bharati India and the Federal System of Media and Public Contents Argentina.
- MoU on Pharmaceuticals between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (Government of India) and the National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology Argentina.
- MoU on Antarctic cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Argentina and Ministry of Earth Sciences India.
- MoU in the field of civil nuclear between Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), India, and National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Argentina.
ii. 2 Work Plans were agreed upon in the field of Agriculture between the two sides.
iii. A joint declaration of intent on cooperation in the field of Information & Communications Technology and Electronics was also exchanged.
India and Argentina to elevate multi-faceted cooperation to strategic partnership
- India and Argentina decided to elevate their multi-faceted cooperation to a strategic partnership with a focus on key areas for the prosperity of both countries.
- Both sides expressed their satisfaction at the mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership and agreed to further explore avenues of space collaboration, including in such areas as satellite building and launch.
India and Argentina expedite signing of BIT, DTAA to boost investments
- India and Argentina Monday agreed to expedite signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the countries to promote economic ties.
- They also agreed that there was immense potential to increase two-way services trade in tourism, films, health care and information technology, among others.
Suresh Prabhu addressed India-Argentina Business Forum
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu,addressing the India-Argentina Business Forum in New Delhi said that India wants to partner with Argentina in its efforts to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025.
i. The Commerce & Industry Ministry has identified 12 champion sectors to enhance the contribution of services sector to USD 3 trillion and he urged Invest India to create special dispensation for Argentina.
ii. He said that both countries recognize need to upgrade bilateral trade and economic relations to a higher level by utilizing the untapped potential available to both nations.
India and Argentina further cooperation in Nuclear Energy
- India and Argentina have agreed to boost cooperation in the nuclear energy sector with the signing of a MoU between India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP)and Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA).
- The two countries signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in 2010 which has led to progress in cooperation on the Fission Molly Project, the molybdenum plant being built in Mumbai by the Argentine company INVAP, with a target for completion in 2020.
Narendra Modi and Mauricio Macri hold bilateral talks condemning terrorism
- President Mauricio Macri, while addressing the joint press conference, paid his condolences to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in the terror attack in Pulwama, South Kashmir, on14th February 2019.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned terrorism, saying it was a threat to global peace and stability while speaking at a joint press conference with Argentina’s President.
Other Highlights
President Mauricio Macri paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, New Delhi, accompanied by his wife Juliana Awada.
About Argentina
♦ Capital – Buenos Aires
♦ Currency – Peso
♦ President – Mauricio Macri