Press Release
State Visit of President of Argentina to India
12/10/2009
At the invitation of President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patel, the President of the Republic of Argentina Dr. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will pay a State Visit to India from 13-15 October 2009. She will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Foreign Minister, and a large business delegation.
During the visit, Prime Minister will hold discussions with President Cristina. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Chairperson of UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Shri L.K. Advani and External Affairs Minister, Shri S.M. Krishna will call on the visiting dignitary. On 15th October, President Cristina will visit Agra and Mumbai.
President Cristina’s visit will take place during the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Argentina. This is also the first Presidential visit from Argentina in 15 years; the last visit was by President Menem in 1994. The last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina was in 1995 by Late Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao for the G-15 Summit.
India and Argentina traditionally share friendly and close ties. Bilateral trade has been increasing steadily in recent years; it has reached US $ 1.3 billion in 2008 from US $ 694 million in 2003 [India’s exports were of US $ 492 million and imports were of US $ 836 million in 2008]. India exports mainly organic chemicals, engineering goods, auto parts and synthetic fibres while Argentina exports to India mainly edible oils; soya oil and sunflower oil.
Indian companies have made investments in IT, Pharmaceuticals, agro-chemicals, mining sectors in Argentina. The total Indian investments in Argentina are to the tune of US$ 119 million.
This stand-alone visit will be opportune to renew and carry forward India-Argentina relations to a higher level. A number of agreements for cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit and will cover wide ranging areas such as sports, science & technology, industrial research, hydrocarbons, trade promotion and business visas.
New Delhi
October 12, 2009