India Taps Argentina’s Lithium Reserves: Drones & Defense Next
As India eyes a secure critical minerals future, Argentina steps in with lithium assets, drone tech interest, and defense cooperation opportunities, including helicopter maintenance and startup engagement.
India is strengthening its footprint in Latin America’s Lithium Triangle, with Argentina emerging as a key partner in securing critical minerals essential for India’s clean energy ambitions. Speaking on the sidelines of an official interaction, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the growing bilateral momentum around lithium and critical minerals.
“Argentina is part of the Lithium Triangle. It is of great interest to us,” said Kumaran. Highlighting the Indian public sector’s proactive involvement, he added, “Coal India Limited and a consortium named KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) have signed five concession agreements for lithium exploration and are working to finalize investments.”
These efforts are aimed at producing and refining minerals in Argentina before transporting them to India, ensuring a sustainable supply chain for energy storage, electric vehicles, and other strategic industries.
Private Sector Also Steps In
Apart from public sector players, Indian private enterprises are also investing in Argentina’s lithium reserves. Greenco, an Indian company, and World Metal Alloys, an Indian-owned firm based in the UAE, have both acquired lithium concessions in the country. Their participation signals India’s broader intent to diversify and secure critical mineral sources amid global supply chain challenges.
Drone Collaboration in Focus
Kumaran also spoke of Argentina’s keen interest in India’s drone applications, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and animal husbandry. He noted that President Javier Milei was impressed by India’s drone use cases and expressed a strong desire to explore similar solutions in Argentina.
A large Argentine business delegation is expected to visit India in the coming months to engage with Indian startup founders and explore collaborative opportunities in drone technology and innovation.
Expanding Defense Cooperation
On the defense front, India is offering its support to maintain and upgrade Argentina’s helicopter fleet. With India’s extensive experience in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of helicopters, the proposal aims to strengthen defense ties without imposing platforms, instead respecting Argentina’s needs and operational context.
“While our security environments differ, we’re open to cooperation wherever our strengths align with Argentina’s interests,” said Kumaran.
No Discussion on BRICS in Recent Talks
Addressing a media query, Kumaran clarified that India and Argentina did not discuss BRICS during the recent bilateral talks. “Therefore, the other points regarding BRICS did not arise,” he stated, setting aside speculation around geopolitical alliances.
Strategic Outlook
India’s multi-sectoral engagement with Argentina — from lithium mining to drone deployment and helicopter maintenance — signals a pragmatic, interest-based foreign policy. It reflects India’s growing ambition to be a key global player in critical technologies and strategic resources, while also fostering innovation-driven partnerships across continents.