Argentina’s Defence Minister Jorge Taiana and Indian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dinesh Bhatia have signed a pact that would pave the way for training and research cooperation in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, according to an official statement.
Under the new pact titled ‘Specific Implementing Arrangements on Academic Cooperation’, Argentinian personnel would be trained at the United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi, the statement from Argentina’s Defense Ministry read.
The new pact would also facilitate visits of instructors, interns and researchers to Argentine Joint Training Center for Peacekeeping Operations (CAECOPAZ), it stated.
The two sides also lauded growing defence cooperation during the visit, including proposed joint manufacturing initiatives in the aerospace sector.
The two sides also lauded growing defence cooperation during the visit, including proposed joint manufacturing initiatives in the aerospace sector.
The Indian Embassy in Argentina expressed confidence that the new pact would further bolster India-Argentina defence ties under the overall framework of ‘Strategic Partnership’.
According to the UN Peacekeeping’s website, India was the third-biggest troop and police contributor as of August 2023, with close to 6,100 active personnel serving at various locations.
On the other hand, there were around 283 Argentinian security personnel serving in UN Peacekeeping forces, as of August.
Focus on Enhancing Defence-Industrial Ties
In July, the Argentinian defence minister paid an official visit to India with a focus on enhancing defence-industrial cooperation.
Besides holding delegation-level talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Taiana paid a visit to the headquarter of BrahMos Aerospace in New Delhi as well as to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru, according to an official statement.
Argentina has reportedly expressed an interest in acquiring the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the India-Russia joint venture which manufactures the weapon.