Joint Statement by India and Argentina on the Visit of President of the Argentine Republic to India
14/10/2009
1. Her Excellency, Dr. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of Argentina paid a State Visit to India on 14 October 2009, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of India, Her Excellency, Smt. Pratibha Patil. The President of India hosted a ceremonial dinner in honour of the visiting dignitary. The President of Argentina and Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, held official talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. H.E. Vice President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance Smt. Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition Shri L.K. Advani called on the President of Argentina.
2. President of Argentina and Prime Minister of India noted that the visit of the Argentine President coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Argentina and expressed their desire to carry forward the bilateral relationship to a higher level. The talks were held in an atmosphere of friendship, warmth and mutual understanding. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership between India and Argentina encompassing political, economic, scientific and technological cooperation including Antarctic research and cultural cooperation. They agreed to work together for further enhancement of their multifaceted relationship to a higher level based on a long term perspective and shared democratic values, respect for human rights, mutual understanding and cooperation and similarity of views on major international issues.
I. Developing a Comprehensive Dialogue towards a Strategic Partnership
3. Both sides highlighted the importance of further enhancing the exchange of high-level bilateral visits, including at the level of Head of State and Head of Government. The two sides reiterated their will to continue and expand bilateral dialogue and cooperation comprehensively. This comprehensive dialogue is based on common values and interests and will aim at mutually beneficiary cooperation in all spheres, including among others dialogue on political and strategic issues, economic and trade relations, consular issues, energy, investment, services and tourism as well as science and technology, culture and education.
4. Both the leaders have desired that this comprehensive dialogue should lead to a strategic partnership that will cover global issues of common concern including in the framework of the UN its specialised organisations and other fora and groups of countries in which both parties participate.
5. In order to achieve concrete results flowing from their dialogue the leaders directed their Foreign Ministries to energize their consultations and workout a plan of action. For this purpose, Foreign Office Consultations will be held in 2010 in India – The year of the Bicentennial of the May Revolution
II. Bilateral relations. Trade and Investment
6. The Leaders decided to encourage regular interactions between the respective legislative bodies. They agreed to expand bilateral exchanges between civil society and foster people-to-people contacts, promote tourism and develop closer cultural and academic ties.
7. Both sides noted that the next Joint Commission meeting is to be held in Argentina in the first half of 2010. Dates for the meeting would be finalized through mutual consultations.
8. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the growing engagement between both sides in the trade and economic spheres. They noted that some Indian companies have made investments in Argentina and that bilateral trade increased from US$ 694 million in 2003 to US$ 1328 million in 2008 doubling in the last five years. The two sides agreed that the bilateral trade target should be US $ 3 billion by 2012. Both leaders expressed keenness to expand and diversify trade and economic cooperation in areas in which Argentina and India have comparative advantages, and to utilize the untapped potential in this area.
9. In the context of encouraging greater trade between the two countries, both leaders agreed that efforts should be made to facilitate the entry of Argentine agricultural and agro-industrial products into India and the entry of Indian pharmaceutical products into Argentina.
10. In the context of deepening the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, both leaders expressed satisfaction that the Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture and Allied Sectors and the Memorandum of Understanding on Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards are at an advanced stage of finalization.
11. The leaders urged their competent authorities and technical teams to take the necessary measures to expand trade and investments They agreed to work together for enhancing bilateral investments in various sectors, including in knowledge- based industries and agro-industries.
12. The Argentine President welcomed Indian entrepreneurs stating that they will find a conducive environment for productive investment and skilled human resources. The Indian Prime Minister acknowledged the growing importance of Argentine business in India. Both sides welcomed the increasing contacts among their entrepreneurs which stress the ample business opportunities that exist.
13. Both leaders have recognized that trade and economic relations underpin bilateral relations. In recognition of the need for fully realizing the untapped potential of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Argentina, both countries have agreed, through exchange of formal communication between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, to facilitate on reciprocity basis, five years multiple entry gratis visas for businessmen of each other’s country. The Indian side welcomed the fact that the Argentine Consulate General and Trade Promotion Centre in Mumbai is already fully operational reflecting Argentina's decision to increase its presence in the Indian market and opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs from both nations.
14. Both sides also noted the opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as science and technology, agriculture, small and medium enterprises and agro-based industries, mining and hydrocarbons and civilian nuclear cooperation. They agreed to enhance direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries, including through participation in trade/commercial exhibitions in both countries as well as through contacts between regions and cities of the two countries.
15. Argentina and India, as active countries with a long tradition in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, have reiterated their intention to develop, promote and cooperate in this field in accordance with their respective international obligations and commitments. They will make use of the synergies existing between the two countries and the vast experience of their nuclear scientists and technologists.
16. Underlining the importance of bilateral cooperation in culture and education for promoting greater understanding and closer friendship between India and Argentina, both sides agreed to explore possibilities for cooperation in this area including by the establishment of linkages between each other's Universities and think tanks.
17. The two Leaders expressed support for closer bilateral cooperation in the area of energy and for the utilization of renewable and alternative energy sources and respective technologies as a basis for sustainable development and as part of the global effort in addressing the challenges of Climate Change.
18. The two leaders shared the view that civil nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting rising global demands for energy. Taking into account their respective capabilities and experience in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy both India and Argentina have agreed to encourage and support scientific, technical and commercial cooperation for mutual benefit in this field.
19. Both sides took note that the India-MERCOSUR PTA has come into force with effect from June 2009. They agreed that the operationalization of the PTA will further facilitate trade and improve market access between India and MERCOSUR. The two sides reiterated the desire of India and Argentina to widen and deepen the PTA.
20. The Leaders welcomed the signature of several agreements in their presence as a testimony of the quality change observed in their mutual relations. They also encouraged ongoing negotiations in several fields to conclude successfully
III. The international system and multilateralism
21. The two leaders exchanged views on a broad range of regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as issues of global concern such as the current global financial crisis, human rights, countering terrorism, climate change, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, promoting sustainable development, addressing the environmental challenges and strengthening the social dimension of globalization.
22. The Indian and Argentine sides emphasized the essential role of the UN for maintaining global peace and security, for promoting the economic and social advancement of all people and for meeting global threats and challenges. India and Argentina stressed the need to implement the process of UN reforms to make it more representative, legitimate and effective. Moreover, they agreed that any expansion and restructuring of the Security Council must reflect contemporary realities, increase transparency and democracy and include developing countries.
23. Both Parties agreed on the need to give a new impulse to multilateral negotiations in the area of disarmament, especially weapons of mass destruction.
24. H.E. President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner expressed deep shock and anguish over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and reiterated the need for intensifying global cooperation in combating international terrorism. The Argentine President reiterated the condolences of the people and government of Argentina on these terrorist attacks. The two leaders expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice. They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose and stressed that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism.
25. Both countries urged the international community to adopt the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which is before the UN General Assembly. They agreed to cooperate against international terrorism in the UN and abide by relevant UN conventions and resolutions in force in the fight against terrorism. They agreed to further expand the dialogue and cooperation in combating terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking
26. The two sides expressed deep concern over the international economic and financial crisis and agreed that the current situation demands restructuring of the international financial and monetary system so that this can become a truly efficient tool for the promotion of sustainable development that would contribute to the reduction of inequalities and promote social inclusion. They underlined that the voice of emerging and developing economies, in the international financial and monetary system, should be heard in order to avoid new and potentially more calamitous crises in the future.
27. India and Argentina welcomed the Pittsburgh Summit Statement of September 2009 which recognizes the need for continued coordinated actions internationally for rebuilding confidence in the global economy. They will endeavor together with the other members to ensure the implementation of the decisions taken at the Washington, London and Pittsburgh Summits, particularly those referred to reduce poverty and implement the Millennium Development Goals. They reaffirmed commitment on improving the regulation, transparency and integrity of financial markets, strengthening the healthy functioning of the financial system and safeguarding stability. They emphasized the importance of strong commitment to reform of international financial institutions (IFIs) and recognized that greater involvement of leading emerging economies in international financial institutions will be crucial for their ultimate success. Both sides recognized the strategic role played by the G-20 in promoting concerted and effective global actions towards sustainable recovery and expressed support of G-20’s new role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
28. Both sides underlined the importance of successfully concluding multilateral negotiations at the WTO for an ambitious and balanced outcome, in line with the Doha Mandate and the principles guiding the negotiations with a thrust on addressing core developmental concerns. Both sides recognized that negotiations must respect core Ministerial mandates such as Special and Differential treatment for developing countries, less than Full Reciprocity (LTFR) in tariff reduction commitments and a comparable level of ambition in Agriculture and Non Agriculture Market Access (NAMA). Argentina and India remain committed to engage constructively for reaching a fair and balanced result in the Doha Round. They called on developed countries to show greater flexibility for resumption of negotiations to enable successful conclusion of the Round.
29. The two sides recognized that Climate Change is a global challenge with strong economic, environmental and social dimensions. It impacts all countries, but is particularly severe for developing countries, given their vulnerabilities, inadequate means and limited capacities to adapt to its effects.
30. They agreed that, in the fight against climate change, priority has to be given to mitigation and adaptation and this has to be supported by developed countries in terms of transfer of technology and finance to meet the incremental costs of adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries.
31. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to addressing Climate Change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] and enhanced implementation of the Convention under the Bali Action Plan, so as to reach an agreed outcome at COP15 of the UNFCCC in Copenhagen.
32. India reiterated its support for negotiations to find a solution to the issue of the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands in accordance with the resolutions of the UNGA and the Special Decolonization Committee.
33. The Argentine Republic reiterated its appreciation for the permanent and traditional support of the Republic of India to the United Nations resolutions in this issue, expressed on June 12, 2008, when the said Special Committee adopted a resolution on the subject. Also, Argentina thanked the outstanding work of India in that United Nations Committee
34. The President of the Republic of Argentina sincerely thanked the President of the Republic of India for the warm hospitality extended to her and the accompanying Argentine delegation in India. She invited the President and Prime Minister of India to pay State visits to Argentina.
New Delhi,
October 14, 2009