What are the investment opportunities for Indian businesses in Argentina?

Well, they are working in lithium. There are investments of Indian companies there; Argentina has the possibility of providing lithium. There are investments in the province of Catamarca, which is a state in the north of Argentina.

Argentina is known for its exceptional luxury wines. Are there any plans to promote the expensive wine in India?

Argentina is a leading wine producing country and we hope to promote more wine in exhibitions. However, import duty is still an issue. Since import duty is high, it has become complicated for us.

A large number of Indian tourists visit Argentina annually. Is there a bilateral agreement to further promote the tourism sector?

People come here every day for visas and we are open of course to receive more and more tourists.

What kind of cultural exchanges are expected in the future?

In early December at the Kolkata Film Festival we are showing one Argentine film on the visit of Rabindranath Tagore to Argentina in 1924.

Argentina is the current world football champion and the world’s best football player, Messi, is from Argentina. Indian fans would love to see Argentina play in India, even if they are just exhibition matches only. Do you think if cultural ties can bring two nations together, sports can give strength to the relationship?

Yes, of course. Soccer or football is part of the Argentine’s soft power. to reach out to other people. For instance, in the south of India, I think they are soccer lovers, they love football in Kerala and Bengal. So the best introduction to Argentina is soccer because I think they identify Argentina with football.

Any plans for friendly matches?

We have to go to the South; some of these ideas are underway.