India-Argentina Joint Statement during State Visit of President of Argentina to India (February 17-19, 2019)
February 18, 2019
- The President of the Argentine Republic, H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri, is on a State Visit to India from 17 to 19 February 2019 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, as part of the celebrations of the 70th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of India. The President of Argentina is accompanied by senior government officials and a business delegation.
- The President of India, H.E. Ram Nath Kovind, met President Macri on 18 February 2018 and hosted a banquet in his honor later the same evening.
- President Macri and Prime Minister Modi held official talks in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hosted an official lunch for President
Mauricio Macri and the accompanying delegation.
- The Prime Minister fondly recalled his visit to Argentina to attend the G20 Leaders Summit in November-December 2018 and commended President Macri's leadership for successfully steering the Summit. The two sides agreed to work closely for a successful G20
Summit in India in 2022, coinciding with the 75th year of India's independence.
- They also expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the fifth India-Argentina Joint Commission Meeting, held in New Delhi on 14 January 2019, and reiterated their strong commitment to further deepen and reinvigorate the multifaceted relations
between India and Argentina.
Strengthening political ties
- Both leaders reiterated that India-Argentina relations are based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, respect for human rights and territorial integrity of States.
- They expressed their satisfaction at the mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership between the two countries in the political, economic, technical, energy, mining, information technology, scientific and cultural fields. Both sides noted that new spheres
of cooperation in areas of mutual interest have been identified and modalities worked out for further strengthening and expanding the bilateral relationship between the two countries. They took note of the year-long activities planned by the two sides to commemorate
the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The leaders reaffirmed the importance of parliamentary exchanges between the two democracies and welcomed regular visits of delegations between the two Parliaments.
- The two leader decided to elevate India-Argentina multi-faceted cooperation to a strategic partnership with focus on key areas for the prosperity of both countries.
Defence Cooperation
- The leaders welcomed the signing of the MOU in Defence Cooperation and tasked their relevant ministries to work towards its robust implementation.
Space
- The leaders noted the entry into force in the year 2018 of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and the establishment of its Joint Committee with representatives from respective space agencies. They also expressed
satisfaction over the recent interactions in December 2018 between the two sides to pursue cooperation in the field of Satellite Remote Sensing, including the exchange of data, the development of applications and calibration and validation experiments. Both
sides agreed to further explore avenues of space collaboration including in such areas as satellite building and launch.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
- Recalling the Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed in 2010, both sides noted with satisfaction the progress in the ongoing cooperation on the Fission Molly Project, the molybdenum plant being built in Mumbai by the Argentine
company INVAP, with a target completion in 2020. Further, the sides also desired to enhance and explore cooperative ventures in the areas of nuclear power; other societal uses of nuclear energy in the health, agriculture sectors & for industrial applications;
and Training and Capacity Building. They also noted that the MoU signed on the occasion, between the Department of Atomic Energy, India and National Atomic Energy Commission, Argentina for cooperation within the framework of Global Center for Nuclear Energy
Partnership would bolster institutional linkages in civil nuclear R&D and capacity building.
Terrorism
- Emphasizing the need to resolutely and unequivocally fight the menace of terrorism, the two leaders issued a separate Joint Declaration in this regard.
Growing Economic and Commercial Engagement
- Both sides expressed satisfaction at the growing economic and commercial engagement between the two countries and resolved to work together to further enhance and diversify trade and investment by eliminating impediments, facilitating greater market access
and promoting trade and investment exchanges to fully exploit their economic complementariness. Recognizing the importance of the services sector in their respective economies, both sides agreed that there was immense potential to increase two-way services
trade in tourism, films, health-care and IT, among others. Taking note of the increase in two-way investment flows over the past few years and its contribution in strengthening the economic ties between the two countries, both sides agreed to further promote
bilateral investments in sectors of mutual interest and agreed to expedite the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between the two countries. With a view to initiating India-Argentina cooperation in the infrastructure
sector, especially in roads, highways, ports and bridges, among others, both sides encouraged Indian and Argentine companies to explore partnerships including through the PPP mode.
Pharmaceutical
- To consolidate links and cooperation in pharmaceuticals, both sides highlighted the importance of concluding enabling instruments such as the MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Medical Products Regulation, which facilitates, among other things, the exchange
of information on procedures for inspection and registration of pharmaceutical products and efficient communication channels between their counterpart institutions. Argentine side underlined that since 2014 India has been included in Annex 2 list of countries
of their Presidential decree that has a mechanism to introduce Indian pharmaceutical drugs in Argentine market.
Technical Cooperation
- Both sides agreed to deepen and strengthen the modalities of bilateral technical cooperation in matters of mutual interest, such as energy including renewable, ICT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, higher education, mechanization and new technologies applied
to agroindustry, animal and plant health, biotechnology, technological development for livestock production, ocean research, among others. In this context, they welcomed the Technical Cooperation Seminar in Agribusiness, organized from 15-17 February 2019
jointly by the two sides with the participation of officials, researchers and private stakeholders, in order to exchange knowledge, technologies and good practices.
- Both sides agreed to also explore the possibilities of third country collaboration in the area of technical cooperation, subject to mutual consent, covering such sectors as energy including renewable, mechanization and new technologies applied to agroindustry,
biotechnology, technological development for livestock production, ocean research, among others.
Agriculture
- Recognizing the importance of the agricultural sector in their countries, both leaders noted that the conclusion of the Work Plan on Agro-Industrial cooperation will enhance the scope of agricultural cooperation between India and Argentina, including the
exchange of technology to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and build climate resilience. It would also expedite sanitary and phyto-sanitary approvals of products of mutual interest by the respective regulatory authorities and enhance market
access.
- Both sides expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the sanitary and phyto-sanitary approvals for export of lemons, chia seeds, egg products and fresh eggs, fish meal and bone meal from Argentina to India, and guar and millet from India
to Argentina.
- In addition, both parties agreed to continue to work towards expeditious market access in other agricultural products of interest to each other. Argentina expressed interest in oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, grapes, blueberries, nuts, yerba mate and
sesame seeds and India in, rice, onion, potato, pomegranate, grapes, banana, mango, poultry and poultry products.
- The conclusion of the Work Plan for cooperation in the field of agricultural research establishes a mechanism which will allow the deepening of cooperation, innovation, and technology transfer between National Institute of Agricultural Technology and Indian
Council for Agricultural Research in respective areas of strength of both countries.
- The Argentina authorities informed Indian side about the usefulness of the multipurpose vaccine "Bío jaja” against the bovine sadness (anaplasmosis and bovine babesiosis), which has been developed by INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology,
Argentina).
- Both sides agreed to step up exchange and sharing of agriculture mecahnisation technology. Keeping in view the strides made by the two sides in agriculture machinery for small holders, both leaders resolved to simplify processes for export of such machinery
and equipment .
- Argentine side agreed to encourage its companies to participate in Make in India program, particularly in the food processing sector.
Oil and Gas
- The two sides agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in the conventional and non-conventional oil and gas resources and in the entire hydrocarbon value chain.
Mining
- Both sides acknowledged the immense potential for bilateral cooperation in the mining sector. The Indian side conveyed its objective to have at least 30% of its vehicles run on electrical batteries by 2030. In this regard, the Argentine side expressed satisfaction
that the Indian Joint Venture of three public sector mining companies, Khanij Videsh India Limited (KABIL), had shown interest in the lithium mining in Argentina. The Argentine side expressed its readiness to facilitate geological information for lithium exploration
available in the Geological and Mining Survey of Argentina and coordinate with the Argentine provinces through the Federal Mining Council of Argentina. Argentina expressed its intention to participate in road shows, exhibitions, seminars and other activities
in the mining sector.
Renewable Energy
- Both sides emphasized the importance of efforts towards enhancing the contribution of renewal energy in their energy mix and its contribution to mitigate climate change. India invited Argentina’s collaboration in meeting its target of 175 GW Power generation
from renewable energy sources by 2022. The Argentine side invited Indian companies to participate in its RenovAR renewable energy programme. Both sides noted ongoing negotiations to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the renewable energy
sector that would promote cooperative institutional relationship between the two countries.
- India welcomed signature by Argentina of the ISA Framework Agreement noting that the association under ISA would foster cooperation in innovative and cost effective solar technologies.
Antarctic Cooperation
- Both leaders welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding renewing Antarctic cooperation between the two countries and enabling collaboration between scientists and technicians of respective Antarctic programmes.
Social Security
- In order to explore possible ways of facilitating the movement of IT professionals and business persons between the two countries, both sides agreed to expedite the negotiations to conclude a Social Security Agreement at an early date.
India-Mercosur
- Argentina and India agreed on the necessity of expanding the PTA, adding the largest amount of products at the earliest.
Education, Culture, Science & Technology and Innovation
- Both sides took note of the progress made towards conclusion of the negotiations for adopting the Cultural Exchange Program for the period 2019-2023.
- Both sides welcomed the agreement reached to establish India-Argentina Centre of Excellence for Information and Technologies in Argentina. The Centre will facilitate the transfer of technology to equip labs and the transfer of knowledge, including through
the exchange of experts and the development of training courses.
- The two sides welcomed the collaborative MoU being negotiated between Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and University of Buenos Aires and asked for its early conclusion.
- The parties welcomed the dialogue between CONICET and CSIR in order to further expand the areas of collaboration within the Inter-institutional Cooperation Agreement signed in 2009 to biotechnology including plant biotechnology, food technology, nano materials,
nano science and technology and health research and others that may be agreed.
- Recognizing the importance of innovation among the youth, the Indian side informed about the successful Atal IT Tinkering labs in India. The two sides agreed to make an initial assessment study of the Atal programme as a pilot programme in Argentina.
- Both sides expressed satisfaction over the increasing cooperation through exchanges of students and academics under Indian scholarship programmes and the launch of the Argentine online platform Global Campus, which facilitates scholarship opportunities.
Argentina welcomed Indian participation in this initiative and the inclusion of scholarships for citizens from both countries.
- Both sides recalled that a number of joint science and technology projects in the fields of agriculture, biotechnology, health, engineering, energy and climate change have been awarded for implementation under the Programme of Cooperation (PoC) signed under
the Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation.
- Both sides welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent to further strengthen collaboration in diverse areas of innovation such as, battery technology, e-Governance, -e-health, digital payment infrastructure, financial inclusion, Artificial Intelligence
and machine learning.
People to People Exchanges, Tourism, and Media Exchanges
- Recognizing the importance of air connectivity, both sides agreed to work towards early conclusion of an Air Services Agreement. They noted with satisfaction negotiations initiated for an MoU that would facilitate a code-sharing arrangement between their
airlines.
- Emphasizing the importance of tourism and people to people exchanges, both leaders expressed their satisfaction on the signing of the MOU on Cooperation in the field of Tourism.
- India welcomed the inclusion of Indian citizens in the e-visa Argentine System, that allows applying for an online entry authorization for any non-immigrant travel purpose.Both sides expressed commitment to continue exploring further ways and means to facilitate
travel of tourists and business people. Both sides also agreed to hold regular consular consultations.
- Both leaders recognized that public audiovisual media and contents constitute an important tool to promote friendship and mutual understanding. In this context, both leaders welcomed the signing of the agreement between Sistema Federal de Medios y Contenidos
Públicos and Prasar Bharati. They agreed to encourage the intensification of communication and meetings between the authorities of public media systems to closely cooperate in and exchange audiovisual content.
- The Argentine side while conveying that the central theme of Expo 2023, to be hosted by Argentina, will be "Creative Industries in Digital Convergence", invited the participation of creative and digital convergence companies of India to contribute their
experience in the matter.
Multilateral
- Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to globalization and reformed multilateralism. They emphasized the essential role of the UN in maintaining global peace and security, promoting economic and social advancement and dealing with global threats and challenges.
They reiterated their commitment to intensify their dialogue in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations to address current global challenges such as climate change and to foster international and regional peace and security, as well as sustainable
development. Both sides agreed to cooperate and work together in multilateral fora and promote the interests of developing countries.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the rules-based, open, transparent, inclusive, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its center. They recognized the urgent need to discuss ways and means
to adapt the WTO to face current and future challenges. They stressed the need to strengthen, reform and modernize the WTO in order to, among other things, end the impasse in appointment of Appellete Body members and strengthen the Dispute Settlement Mechanism
of the WTO. They also emphasized the importance of engaging constructively to improve the functioning of the WTO, in its three pillars of monitoring, negotiation and dispute settlement. They underscored the need to carry out the reform process in an inclusive
manner, duly taking into account development needs of developing countries.
United Nations Security Council Reforms
- The two leaders reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including its expansion to make it more representative, accountable, effective, and reflective of the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
South-South Cooperation
- Argentina highlighted the importance of the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation, to be held in Buenos Aires from 20 to 22 March 2019, as a unique opportunity to enhance South-South Cooperation. As a host of BAPA 40, Argentina
hopes both countries can join efforts throughout the negotiation process, to reach a consensus in the outcome document that reflects South- South Cooperation opportunities within the framework of the 2030 Agenda implementation.
Candidatures and support in multilateral fora
- Both sides expressed satisfaction with the support extended to their respective candidatures in various multilateral organizations. In this context, India expressed gratitude for Argentina's support to India's accession to the various non-proliferation
regimes, including the Missile Technology Control Regime, Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group, and the active role played by Argentina for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
- India reiterated its support to the resumption of negotiations to find a solution to the sovereignty issue relating to the Question of the Malvinas Islands in accordance with the Resolutions of the UNGA and the Special Committee on Decolonization
New Delhi
February 18, 2019