India-Argentina Joint Trade Committee Advances Strategic Partnership
The Fourth India-Argentina Joint Trade Committee meeting held on 24 August 2026 in Buenos Aires resulted in significant progress across multiple sectors, with bilateral trade reaching $6.5 billion in 2025 and growing at 17% annually, making India Argentina's fifth-largest trading partner. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal led the Indian delegation while Ambassador Fernando Brun led the Argentine side, with both reviewing progress on the roadmap established during Prime Minister Modi's 2025 visit to Argentina.
Key Sectoral Developments and Market Access
In the lithium sector, KABIL's mining activities in Catamarca province have progressed significantly with completion of Phase II drilling, representing the first lithium mining initiative by an Indian company in Argentina. Additional opportunities are being explored in Salta and Jujuy provinces to deepen the strategic partnership. Agricultural market access advanced through technical SPS discussions for Indian onions, milk and milk products, grapes, potatoes, bananas, and pulses.
Pharmaceutical cooperation saw Argentina commit to upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I under its regulatory framework, reducing barriers to entry for Indian pharma companies. Both sides will strengthen cooperation through joint initiatives in Ayurveda and Yoga, building on the 2019 MoU between Argentina's ANMAT and India's CDSCO.
Expanding Cooperation and Business Engagement
Emerging areas including aviation, space technology, telecommunications, digital services, 5G, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure were identified for future cooperation. Progress continues on the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement with digital certificates of origin expected to facilitate more efficient cross-border commerce.
The engagement included meetings with Argentina's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pablo Quirno and representatives of G6 industry chambers, providing insights from the Argentine business community. Secretary Agrawal also held separate meetings with Agriculture Secretary Sergio Iraeta on agricultural products, Deregulation Secretary Alejandro Cacace on pharmaceutical regulatory recognition, and Innovation Secretary Adriana Baravalle on space and nuclear cooperation including a proposed ISRO-CONAE meeting.
Business Forum and Delegation
The India-Argentina Business Forum on 25 August 2026 featured the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Argentina comprising over 25 business leaders from companies including UPL, Kirloskar, and Aditya Birla Group. The forum focused on translating government engagement into commercial outcomes by improving market access, addressing regulatory barriers, and facilitating business-to-business engagement across agriculture, minerals, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism, banking, and telecommunications.