A Defence Partnership between India and Argentina

financialexpress.com:

By Dr Aparaajita Pandey

As India assumes its rightful role as a defence manufacturer and provider, it is only right that Argentina and India look for synergies to build upon. As Argentina is also working towards being a part of BRICS, greater collaboration between the two countries would be mutually beneficial. Argentina is also attempting to build its defence capabilities, and India would prove to be a great option and an alternative from the traditional defence partner – the US, and the largest trading partner which is now China.

Argentina much like most Latin American countries enjoy conditions free of external conflict. Major conflicts between even hostile neighbours are distant memories. The Treaty of Tlatelolco, signed by all the region’s nations in 1967, banned nuclear weapons from the region and was ratified by the nuclear powers. Most of the region voted for the 2013 UN Arms Trade Treaty, though organized crime continues to ravage several countries. There are very few disputes – mainly over borders and resources – within the region, and none of these threaten the peace. Security policy therefore is more focused on protection of natural resources and control of criminal movements and the illicit narcotics industry for most of Latin America, although that is still a relatively small threat when it comes to Argentina.

New threats have now started to make themselves known for Argentina. While China is one of the mail economic partners of the country it also poses a threat with IUU fishing in the region. Argentina is also a part of the lithium triangle which is an area rich in Lithium that is split between Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile; which comes with a host of its own security concerns. In this situation India