New Delhi, July 6 -- India and Argentina agreed on Saturday to enhance collaboration in trade, defence, technology, space and pharmaceuticals as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Javier Milei met in Buenos Aires to review bilateral ties. Modi, the first Indian premier to make a bilateral visit to Argentina in 57 years, was given a ceremonial welcome before holding talks with Milei that extended to informal discussions over lunch. Argentina was the third destination in Modi's five-nation tour that will also take him to Brazil and Namibia. The two leaders discussed the need to diversify and expand bilateral trade, which increased by 33% in 2024 to $5.23 billion, making India the fifth largest trade partner for Argentina. Argentina is one of the main suppliers of soyabean and sunflower oil to India and New Delhi sees the South American nation as a prime source for rare earth minerals such as lithium. "President Milei and I discussed ways to diversify trade ties, cooperation in agriculture, defence, security, energy and more. There is immense scope in areas like pharmaceuticals and sports as well," the PM posted on X. Modi sought Argentina's support in expanding the India-MERCOSUR preferential trade agreement to bring mutual benefits and open new opportunities, P Kumaran, secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, told a media briefing after the talks between the two leaders. The two leaders explored the possibility of expanding collaboration in defence, where they felt the two countries can leverage their respective capabilities to increase cooperation and contribute to mutual strategic interests, Kumaran said. The Indian side offered several indigenous defence platforms to Argentina....