Archive · 30 Aug 2026
India and Argentina Advance Trade, Lithium, and Pharma Cooperation
India and Argentina want to increase the business they do with each other.
They discussed this at a trade committee meeting in Buenos Aires.
An Indian company called KABIL finished the second phase of drilling at a lithium project in Argentina.
Lithium is used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage.
The two countries are also looking at more lithium projects in Salta and Jujuy.
Argentina said it would work toward making it easier for Indian medicines to enter its market.
They are discussing market access for products such as onions, dairy, grapes, potatoes, bananas and pulses.
Their trade was worth more than $6.5 billion in 2025.
They also want to cooperate in areas such as farming, aviation, space, telecommunications and digital technology.
India and Argentina reviewed their economic cooperation roadmap at the fourth Joint Trade Committee meeting in Buenos Aires.
Khanij Bidesh India (KABIL) completed Phase II drilling for its lithium project in Argentina’s Catamarca province.
The countries are exploring additional lithium opportunities in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy.
Argentina will work toward upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I to facilitate Indian pharmaceutical exports.
Bilateral trade exceeded $6.5 billion in 2025, while agricultural, aviation, space and digital cooperation also advanced.
- Who
- The governments, officials and businesses of India and Argentina, including KABIL and participating companies.
- What
- They reviewed economic cooperation and discussed lithium mining, pharmaceuticals, agricultural market access, trade expansion and emerging technologies.
- When
- The fourth Joint Trade Committee meeting was held on August 24; the India–Argentina Business Forum followed on August 25. Trade figures cited were for 2025.
- Where
- The meetings took place in Buenos Aires, while lithium opportunities are located in Argentina’s Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy provinces.
- Why
- The countries aim to expand trade, improve market access, develop critical-mineral cooperation and deepen their broader economic partnership.
- Bilateral trade
- India-Argentina trade exceeded $6.5 billion in 2025.
- Trade growth
- Bilateral trade grew by more than 17 percent in 2025.
- Argentina’s trading partners
- India is Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner.
- Lithium progress
- KABIL completed Phase II drilling in Catamarca province.
- Additional lithium areas
- India and Argentina are exploring opportunities in Salta and Jujuy.
- Pharmaceutical access
- Argentina committed to work toward upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I under its pharmaceutical regulatory framework.
- Agricultural products
- SPS discussions cover onions, milk and milk products, grapes, potatoes, bananas and pulses.
- Trade agreement
- India and Mercosur have a Preferential Trade Agreement covering 450 tariff lines, with talks underway to expand it.
