Tejas has become the darling supersonic fighter jet in the world. From Asia to Africa and Europe to South America, countries from every continent are showing interest to buy it. Now, the South American country, Argentina, adds to the long list of potential buyers. But, apart from Tejas, there is a lot that Argentina is interested in.
The Falkland Islands or Malvinas Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean near the border of Argentina. But due to the colonial past of South America, the United Kingdom still maintains its sovereignty over the islands. Despite the decolonization process, England is not ready to withdraw its claim over the islands. Argentina and England even fought a war in 1982 for control but Britain didn’t agree to withdraw. Consequently, the negotiation process between the two countries is going on and both try to build the world’s consensus in their favor.
India supports Argentina over Falkland Islands
In the joint press statement following the meeting between India and Argentina on August 26, 2022, India reiterated its position to support Argentina on the Falkland islands issue.
The joint statement reads that India reiterates its support for the resumption of negotiations to find a solution to the sovereignty issue relating to the question of the Malvinas Islands. The nation called Argentina and Britain to resume the negotiations in accordance with the Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Special Committee on Decolonisation.
Breaking: India, Argentina joint press statement mentions Falkland island issue by the name Malvinas Islands; New Delhi reiterates its "support to the resumption of negotiations to find a solution to the sovereignty issue relating to the Question of the Malvinas Islands" https://t.co/RmppT035dI pic.twitter.com/FiV13W55KO
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 26, 2022
In the statement, other than economic and sectoral cooperation, countries also pledged to advance the convergence in strategic sectors. In an effort to increase defense cooperation, Argentina has shown great interest in Made in India Tejas fighter aircraft for Argentina Air Force.
Breaking: Argentina expresses interest in Made in India TEJAS fighter aircrafts for Argentine Air Force. Joint Press statement issued after EAM Jaishankar, Argentina FM meet mentions about the issue: pic.twitter.com/6Ni1Wm09K0
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 26, 2022
Argentina’s Strategic Cooperation with India
Other than Argentina, Malaysia, America, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, and the Philippines too have shown interest to procure the Light Combat Tejas Aircraft. Tejas is a single-engine, lightweight, highly agile, multi-role 4+ generation supersonic fighter aircraft. Its capabilities and economic price make it a competitive fighter jet in the world.
Argentina’s desperation to buy the Made in India was not only catalyzed by the jet’s capabilities but also by the changing politics of the world. Argentina looks to India as the major global power. The rise of India’s economic and military capacity has exponentially increased its global stature. Moreover, a nation’s democratic and strong leadership presence makes it a key power in the world. In various regional or multilateral organizations, India’s presence carries significant weight.
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In this scenario, Argentina hopes to gain the support of India on the Falkland islands issue. As India has constantly favored the complete decolonization process of the world, its assertive stance on the Falklands issue in the United Nations will greatly help Argentina in the negotiation process.
India is a member of the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization and a great lawyer of a country’s territorial sovereignty over its lands. The Falkland Islands are governed by the Government of the United Kingdom as a British overseas territory. Despite the withdrawal from South American countries, European countries still maintain a physical presence in many of the islands there.
On 2 April 1982, Argentine military forces invaded the Falkland Islands and took control of the Islands. The British dispatched its naval task force and royal air force making an amphibious assault on the islands. In the 74 days of conflict, Argentina finally surrendered on June 1 returning the Falkland Islands to British control.
Despite the successive negotiations, Britain has declined to cede its right over the Falkland Islands. In this scenario, Argentina hopes to develop a global consensus in its favor. Through its strategic cooperation with India, Argentina wishes to seek support on the world stage. The buying of Made in India Tejas, cooperation in atomic energy security, and other areas are way forward in the direction.
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