India will do pretty well in hosting G20 summit 2022: Argentine envoy to WION

Argentine President Mauricio Macri will be visiting India on Sunday. The visit comes after PM Modi's visit to the South American country last year in November for the G20 Summit. Ahead of the visit, WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Argentina's envoy to India Daniel Chuburu. 

WION: How do you see bilateral ties with India?

Chuburu: As you know, this year is the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Argentina and India. So it is a great occasion to think about the relationship where it stands and where we are looking to go with all the partnership we have with India. Let me tell you, we are good friends with India, and have worked politically for many many years in a lot of different places. We firmly believe the potential our relations can achieve is not being done. We have small trade, concentrated in one product; we have to step up the relationship, strengthen it and step up on the quality of the relationship. 

WION: What is the programme of the President? 

Chuburu: The official programme is on February 18 when he is in Delhi. On February 19 he will be in Mumbai. First is a protocol visit, meeting with the PM, dinner with the President, lunch with the PM. In addition to that, a series of discussions between the two delegations will take place. We have to make a strategic partnership. Three issues will be discussed: One is sectoral agricultural on food security. One is in the field of energy, taking into consideration energy security. The third one is in cooperation with high technology. We will be discussing the agreement in the areas of defence, nuclear energy, in the peaceful use of outer space. The President will take part in the business forum. 

WION: What is the focus area during the visit? 

Chuburu: Common focus is to have a strategic partnership. We can't do anything about the distance (over 15,000kms) that separate both of the countries, that is the reality of life. We are working on an MoU on air services. We have to work on the quality of the relationship.  

WION: You hosted G20, any suggestion for India? 

Chuburu: We are at the disposal of India to share any kind of and all the experience that we have. When you have the summit you have 30 leaders visiting your country. Summit is just the last expression. Question is how you plan the whole year. It is a lot of work. India will do it pretty well, you have a lot of experience. There will be no problem.