India and Argentina have recently been in the limelight for signing a Social Security Agreement (SSA) to strengthen the legal rights of professionals working in each other’s countries. This agreement facilitates a safer international mobility path for these professionals.
Understanding the Social Security Agreement
The SSA is designed to safeguard the rights of professionals and workers in both countries, preventing them from losing any social security benefits or contributions. Given the increasing number of Indian professionals working in Argentina and Argentine nationals seeking employment in India, this legal framework becomes a necessity.
Key Points of the Agreement
The SSA applies to legislation in both nations regarding various aspects of social security including old age, survivor’s pension, and permanent, total disability pension for employed persons. The agreement offers rights and benefits to detached workers, employees temporarily working in another country, and their families. These benefits encompass cash allowances for retirement or pension, rent, subsidy, lump sum payments – all as per local legislation – without any reduction, modification, suspension, suppression, or retention.
It also establishes a legal framework that regulates the insurance period covering the periods of services credited with contributions, contributory benefits, and their export for detached workers. This includes crew members of airlines and ships and addresses the legislation related to contributory benefits of the Social Security System in Argentina.
India-Argentina Relations: An Overview
In February 2019, India and Argentina took their relationship to the next level by elevating it to Strategic Partnership. India opened a Trade Commission in Buenos Aires in 1943, which was later converted into an embassy in 1949 – one of the first Indian embassies in South America. Argentina followed suit and transferred its Consulate from Calcutta to Delhi as an embassy in 1950.
Economic Relations and Trade
India holds the rank of the fourth-largest trading partner of Argentina. Bilateral trade touched an all-time high of USD 6.4 billion in 2022, recording a 12% growth rate over 2021. Major exports from India to Argentina include petroleum oils, agrochemicals, yarn-fabric-made ups, organic chemicals, bulk drugs, and two-wheelers. Imports from Argentina consist primarily of vegetable oils, finished leather, cereals, residual chemicals, allied products, and pulses.
Cultural Relations Between India and Argentina
The cultural ties between India and Argentina have a historical significance. For instance, Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned Indian literary figure, visited Argentina in 1924 and Victoria Ocampo was awarded an honorary doctorate by Visva Bharati University in 1968.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts
India and Argentina issued a joint declaration to fight terrorism following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. They vowed to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressing that no country should allow their territory to be used to launch terrorist attacks on others.
About Argentina
Located in South America, Argentina is the eighth-largest country globally and is bordered by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Andes range’s highest mountain, Cerro Aconcagua, is situated in Argentina. Endowed with abundant resources and a well-educated workforce, Argentina remains one of South America’s strongest economies. The country is divided into four regions: The Andes, the North, the Pampas, and Patagonia, with the Pampas being the agricultural hub.