PM Modi arrives in Argentina, first bilateral visit by an Indian PM in 57 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Buenos Aires on Friday evening (local time) for a two-day official visit to Argentina, marking the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in nearly six decades.

Upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport, Modi was given a ceremonial welcome.

“Landed in Buenos Aires for a bilateral visit which will focus on augmenting relations with Argentina. I'm eager to be meeting President Javier Milei and holding detailed talks with him,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

This is Modi’s second visit to Argentina—the first being in 2018 for the G20 Summit—but the current trip is significant as it represents a dedicated bilateral engagement. It also marks the third stop on Modi’s ongoing five-nation tour.

“Celebrating the enduring friendship between our nations. PM @narendramodi has landed in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina on an Official Visit. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome on arrival at the airport. This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Argentina in 57 years, marking a new chapter in India-Argentina ties,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X.

During his stay, Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with President Javier Milei, aimed at enhancing cooperation across key sectors such as defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade, and investment, according to an official MEA statement.

“The bilateral visit of the prime minister will further deepen the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Argentina,” the ministry said.

Prior to his arrival, Modi had described Argentina as a vital economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20. “We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment,” he said before departing for Buenos Aires.

Modi's Argentina stop follows his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, where India and the Caribbean nation signed six bilateral agreements. During that leg of the tour, he was also awarded the country’s highest civilian honour—'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago'—becoming the first foreign leader to receive the accolade.

Following Argentina, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit and then proceed to Namibia for the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.