Argentina lithium reserve "great interest" to India: MEA
Addressing a press conference, MEA's Secretary (East) P Kumaran noted the efforts of Coal India Limited and Khanij Bidesh India Limited to pick up critical minerals assets in other countries for India.
"Argentina is a part of the Lithium Triangle. It is of great interest to us. We had two Indian public sector companies, Coal India Limited and a consortium called KABIL, which is specifically tasked with picking up critical minerals and assets outside India. They have signed five concession agreements and are working on finalizing investments and working out the implementation of the investments in such a way that minerals can be produced here, refined and taken to India for various purposes and are working on finalising investments to implement them in a manner that allows minerals to be produced, refined, and exported," Kumaran said.
MEA's Secretary East also noted that two private sector companies owned by Indians have also invested in lithium concession in Argentina and hoped for more cooperation between the two nations.
"There are two private sector companies: one from India, called Greenco, and another Indian-owned company based in the UAE, World Metal Alloys, which is also invested in lithium concessions in Argentina. Hopefully, we will have more cooperation in the coming years," Kumaran said.
During his visit to Argentina, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors with Argentine President Javier Milei, underlining India's growing energy and industrial needs while emphasising that Buenos Aires can serve as a "reliable partner."
MEA's Secretary (East) Kumaran emphasised that Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, such as lithium, copper, and rare earth elements, align with India's need for its clean energy transition and industrial growth.
"The two leaders also had an opportunity to discuss cooperation in the energy and critical mineral sectors. The Prime Minister underlined India's growing energy and industrial needs and emphasised that Argentina could serve as a reliable partner in supporting India's developmental journey," Kumaran said.
"Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, copper and rare earth elements, align with India's need for secure and sustainable resources to drive its clean energy transition and industrial growth," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- Times of Oman
India-Argentina discuss drone technology partnership during PM Modi's visit
Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his historic visit to Argentina, discussed with South American President Javier Milei avenues of cooperation in newer areas such as drone technology, according to details provided by External Affairs Secretary (East), P Kumaran. Addressing a press briefing after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders, Kumaran said that the conversation between PM Modi and Milei "significantly dealt with the use of drones and multiple purposes for which they can be put into." "There was discussion about using it to tackle IUU fishing- illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, especially encroaching fishermen into exclusive economic zones of Argentina. There was also talk about using drones for cattle management, increasing agricultural productivity for border surveillance and the Argentinian side also talked about how drones could help in the surveillance of high tension power transmission lines using drones instead of the traditional reliance on helicopters which is much more expensive," he said. In another novel area of cooperation, Kumaran said that PM Modi invited Argentina to join the International Big Cat Alliance. "The two leaders discussed cooperation under an initiative that India drives called the International Big Cat Alliance, which protects and promotes cooperation between the member states of the IBCA in protecting some six identified big cats- lions, tigers, and jaguars and so on, six of them. The Prime Minister welcomed Argentina to join the International Big Cat Alliance and to work with us on sharing experiences and capacity building in terms of conservation of the big cats." As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was launched by PM Modi in 2023. It primarily aims for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma, with objectives like facilitation of collaboration and synergy amongst the concerned stakeholders, consolidation of successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve conservation of big cats around the globe and underscores India's leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation. In a recap of the visit of PM Modi, the MEA Secretary said, "The Prime Minister last visited Argentina in 2018 for the G20 Summit. However, this is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years, making it a historical visit." He noted that PM had begun his engagements by laying a wreath at the bust of General San Martin, the revered Argentinian freedom fighter. "The tribute acknowledged his enduring legacy and pivotal role in Argentina's independence movement. Following the tribute, the Prime Minister was received at Casa Rosada by President Javier Milei, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Subsequently, the two leaders had a brief tet-a-tet, followed by delegation-level talks, during which they reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations." The MEA Secretary said that PM Modi thanked President Milei for extending warm hospitality to him and his delegation, and also appreciated the gracious welcome. Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Buenos Aires not only reflected India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Argentina but also showcased the enduring spirit of the Indian diaspora. Their heartfelt reception, marked by cultural performances and chants, underscored the deep bonds that connect Indian communities across the world with their roots.
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Argentina lithium reserve "great interest" to India: MEA
Buenos Aires: The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday (local time) emphasised India's great interest in Argentina's lithium reserve, noting Indian public sector companies are "working out the implementation of the investments" in the Latin Amercian country to produce, refine, and export minerals. Addressing a press conference, MEA's Secretary (East) P Kumaran noted the efforts of Coal India Limited and Khanij Bidesh India Limited to pick up critical minerals assets in other countries for India. "Argentina is a part of the Lithium Triangle. It is of great interest to us. We had two Indian public sector companies, Coal India Limited and a consortium called KABIL, which is specifically tasked with picking up critical minerals and assets outside India. They have signed five concession agreements and are working on finalizing investments and working out the implementation of the investments in such a way that minerals can be produced here, refined and taken to India for various purposes and are working on finalising investments to implement them in a manner that allows minerals to be produced, refined, and exported," Kumaran said. MEA's Secretary East also noted that two private sector companies owned by Indians have also invested in lithium concession in Argentina and hoped for more cooperation between the two nations. "There are two private sector companies: one from India, called Greenco, and another Indian-owned company based in the UAE, World Metal Alloys, which is also invested in lithium concessions in Argentina. Hopefully, we will have more cooperation in the coming years," Kumaran said. During his visit to Argentina, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors with Argentine President Javier Milei, underlining India's growing energy and industrial needs while emphasising that Buenos Aires can serve as a "reliable partner." MEA's Secretary (East) Kumaran emphasised that Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, such as lithium, copper, and rare earth elements, align with India's need for its clean energy transition and industrial growth. "The two leaders also had an opportunity to discuss cooperation in the energy and critical mineral sectors. The Prime Minister underlined India's growing energy and industrial needs and emphasised that Argentina could serve as a reliable partner in supporting India's developmental journey," Kumaran said. "Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, copper and rare earth elements, align with India's need for secure and sustainable resources to drive its clean energy transition and industrial growth," he added.
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Argentina: PM Modi pays tribute at San Martin Memorial in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the San Martin Memorial in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning after arriving in Argentina on the third leg of his five-nation tour. The Monumento al General San Martin is an imposing equestrian monument honouring Jose de San Martin, the revered liberator of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It stands as a symbol of Latin American independence and is a significant site of national pride in Argentina. PM Modi's visit to the memorial underscores India's respect for global freedom fighters and shared values of liberty and sovereignty. PM Modi landed at Ezeiza International Airport earlier on Friday and is on an official visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Argentina, Javier Milei. His itinerary includes holding bilateral talks with Milei to review ongoing cooperation and explore ways to deepen the India-Argentina partnership in key sectors such as defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. Following his arrival, the Prime Minister was warmly received by members of the Indian diaspora outside his hotel. He witnessed a traditional Indian dance performance and interacted with the enthusiastic crowd, who chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Modi-Modi' to welcome him. Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi said in a post on X, "Distance is no barrier when it comes to cultural connect! Honoured by the gracious welcome from the Indian community in Buenos Aires. It is truly moving to see how, thousands of kilometres away from home, the spirit of India shines brightly through our Indian community." He also wrote, "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." Members of the Indian community and local artists hailed Modi's efforts to promote India's cultural and global stature, making his visit a moment of pride and celebration for the diaspora. Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Buenos Aires not only reflected India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Argentina but also showcased the enduring spirit of the Indian diaspora. Their heartfelt reception, marked by cultural performances and chants, underscored the deep bonds that connect Indian communities across the world with their roots.
