India-Argentina Drone Technology Collaboration

The potential for collaboration in drone technology was highlighted during the prime minister's visit to Argentina, preceding his trip to Brazil for the BRICS summit. The discussions took place with the president of Argentina, focusing on various strategic sectors.

Areas of Cooperation

• Drone Technology:
  • Potential uses in tackling illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in Argentina's exclusive economic zones.
  • Applications in cattle management and agricultural productivity enhancement.
  • Border surveillance for security purposes.
  • Surveillance of high-tension power transmission lines as a cost-effective alternative to helicopters.
• Critical Minerals and Energy:
  • India's lead in importing lithium from Argentina.
  • Interest in importing shale gas.

Additional Insights

• The prime minister highlighted India's Namo Drone Didi scheme, which enhances agricultural productivity by involving rural women in using drones for:
  • Administering fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Conducting land surveys to determine land boundaries.

The discussions underscore Argentina's potential to emerge as a robust partner in the Global South, focusing on critical sectors such as critical minerals, oil & gas, defense, nuclear energy, and space, alongside agriculture.