Recently appointed India’s Ambassador to Argentina, R Viswanathan joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977. An expert on Latin America, he has earlier had stints in Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela, among other places, in a career spanning three decades. He was, until recently, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will also be accredited to Uruguay and Paraguay with residence in Buenos Aires. Viswanathan is an author, blogger and a keen golfer. He was interviewed by Sumit Bothra in Chennai just before leaving for Argentina.
gfiles: Congratulations on being appointed the next Indian Ambassador to Argentina. You have been posted in Latin America earlier and have also been heading the LAC Division in the Ministry of External Affairs. How have Indo-Argentine relations been in the past?
R Viswanathan: In the past our relations did not progress because of the Argentine debt crisis. In 2001 the Argentine market had gone down. But now, ever since the recovery of Argentine markets in 2003, trade has picked up with imports and exports as well as investments and joint ventures. Now the prognosis is that the Argentine market has stabilized and will be growing in years to come. So I see a lot of scope for further increase in our trade and investments.
gfiles: What role do you envisage for Argentina in India’s foreign policy with reference to Latin America?
RV: Argentina is the third largest country, power and market in Latin America. We are engaged in the process of making friends and partners in Latin markets. We have already done so in Brazil and Mexico and logically the next market is Argentina.
gfiles: Is there any specific advice for Indian businessmen?
RV: Well, I invite them to participate in the exclusive Indian trade fair, the largest that we are organizing in Buenos Aires,over March 26-29,2008. This will be a great opportunity to see the market for themselves and to promote their products.
gfiles: Does India have any cultural ties with Argentina? How do you plan to encourage cultural ties and promote Indian culture in Argentina?
RV: Sure, cultural relations, people to people contact, and promotions are a part of our diplomacy. In Argentina there is respect and regard for Indian culture. In general there are a lot of followers of Sai Baba, the Radha Soamis, the Brahma Kumaris and so on. We have also been sending a lot of cultural troupes to Latin America to perform classical music and dance. We would like to do this regularly and also invite Argentine groups like tango groups to India. We would also like to promote contact between universities, other educational institutions and think tanks.
gfiles: Is sports part of this agenda?
RV: Yes. Argentinians play football, polo and golf. There is scope for cooperation in sports
gfiles: Argentina has developed nuclear technology for medical use. Do you foresee renewed cooperation with Argentina in technology?
RV: Once the issue of the nuclear deal is solved and we get the exemption from IAEA and the nuclear suppliers group, this will follow.
‘We are engaged in
making friends and
partners in Latin
markets. We have
already done so in
Brazil and Mexico
and logically the
next market is
Argentina’
gfiles: How can Indo-Argentine trade and commerce flourish further? During your tenure as ambassador, can we expect Argentina to emerge as a preferred trading partner?
RV: We already have a preferred trade agreement with MERCOSUR of which Argentina is a part. But this is an underexplored market, unlike Brazil and Mexico – with whom our companies are more familiar. Argentina has not been explored because of the past history. Now we are trying to change the perceptions of Indians about the Argentine markets and we expect a lot of growth.
gfiles: Have you thought of any particular theme for your tenure in Argentina?
RV: Economic diplomacy to promote business between the two countries is my priority
