Drone Tech Emerges as Key Focus in India-Argentina Talks
Drone technology emerged as a prominent area for potential collaboration between India and Argentina as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the South American country before heading to Brazil for the BRICS summit.
In discussions with Argentine President Javier Milei, both leaders examined strategies to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including critical minerals, oil and gas, defense, nuclear energy, and space, in light of Argentina's capability to become a strong ally in the Global South.
After the meeting, P Kumaran, external affairs secretary (east), briefed reporters in Buenos Aires, stating, "The dialogue notably focused on drone usage and the various applications they can serve."
He mentioned that the President expressed considerable interest in the ways drones are utilized in India, particularly in addressing illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, which includes encroachment by fishermen into Argentina's exclusive economic zones.
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There were also discussions about utilizing drones for managing livestock, boosting agricultural output, and monitoring borders.
He added that the Argentine delegation also proposed using drones to oversee high-tension power transmission lines instead of relying on helicopters, which are significantly more costly.
Modi updated Milei on India's Namo Drone Didi initiative and its role in enhancing agricultural productivity by engaging rural women in utilizing drones for applying fertilizers and pesticides, as well as conducting land surveys for boundary determinations.
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The partnership regarding critical minerals and energy was also discussed. India has taken the lead in importing lithium from Argentina, and there was also interest expressed in importing shale gas.