New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to has turned international eyes towards Argentina. However behind the official handshakes lies a century-old story of financial rise, political turmoil and goals undone. 100 years in the past, Argentina stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the USA. Rich, resource-rich and quickly industrialising, it seemed like a future superpower within the making.
As we speak, it struggles with inflation, corruption and a soccer obsession that always overshadows deeper crises. How did a nation so stuffed with promise find yourself bankrupt seven occasions in a single century?
The Pampas That Fed a Continent
Argentina’s flat and fertile grasslands – the Pampas – as soon as made it the meals basket of the world. When World Struggle I introduced European farming to a halt, Argentina stepped in. Wheat, meat and wool flowed out of its ports. Cash poured in.
President Milei and I mentioned methods to diversify commerce ties, cooperation in agriculture, defence, safety, vitality and extra. There may be immense scope in areas like prescription drugs and sports activities as properly.@JMilei pic.twitter.com/8jFADZmbcb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
European firms arrived, constructing railways, roads and ports. Buenos Aires, Rosario and Córdoba flourished. Immigrants got here in waves. By the Nineteen Twenties, economists stated Argentina would possibly at some point rival America.
Then Got here the Fall
In 1925, Argentina’s GDP matched that of Canada, the UK and Italy. However 4 years later, every little thing modified. The Nice Despair hit the USA. Demand collapsed. Orders dried up. Argentina’s exports sank. Farmers misplaced revenue. Unemployment unfold. Public anger rose.
Wonderful assembly with President Javier Milei of Argentina. We’re marking 75 years of India-Argentina diplomatic relations and 5 years since we elevated our relationship to a Strategic Partnership. We now have coated important floor in our bilateral relations, however we agree that… pic.twitter.com/3fG6ojU4ZD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
Normal Jose Felix Uriburu noticed a chance. In 1930, he led a cold coup, ousting President Hipolito Yrigoyen. However the economic system didn’t get well.
In 1931, new elections had been held. A brand new authorities got here in. Nonetheless, the harm was carried out.
From 1930 to 1980, Argentina noticed six army coups. The fixed instability scared off buyers. Business stalled. Progress froze.
Isolation by Design
In 1943, one other coup introduced the army again to energy. In 1944, they put in Edelmiro Farrell as president, however actual energy rested with Normal Juan Perón. His thought was – shut off the economic system to guard native industries. Imports had been taxed. International commerce was restricted.
At first, the technique labored. Factories ran. Wages rose. Folks felt hopeful.
Paid homage to Normal José de San Martín in Buenos Aires. His braveness and management performed a pivotal position in Argentina’s historical past. His life stays a logo of patriotism and dedication for the individuals of Argentina. pic.twitter.com/zItGl5TIXT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
However overseas funding fled. Imports dried up. Inflation crept in. The economic system started to crack.
Peron responded with censorship. Then he clashed with the Church. Legal guidelines had been handed to weaken its affect. In Catholic Argentina, that sparked a nationwide backlash.
The Printing Press Drawback
The army initially backed Peron, however cracks widened. In 1955, they eliminated him. What adopted was a chaotic political shuffle – extra coups, extra elections and no stability.
Within the Nineteen Seventies, new governments tried to carry wages, launch social applications and repay debt. However income didn’t match spending. To make up the hole, they printed cash. Quite a lot of it.
Paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Buenos Aires. His timeless imaginative and prescient and noble beliefs will all the time information humanity. Everywhere in the world, the ideas of Bapu reverberate. They provide energy and hope to thousands and thousands. Impressed by him, we reiterate our dedication to construct a simply and… pic.twitter.com/hhNKBMKP5l
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
By 1989, inflation spun uncontrolled. Costs tripled. Then tripled once more. Hyperinflation hit 3,000%. Grocery prices modified by the day. Folks carried luggage of money to purchase bread. The Argentine peso turned nugatory.
The Greenback Gamble That Backfired
In 1991, President Carlos Menem took a daring step. He pegged the peso to the US greenback. One peso equaled one greenback. In a single day, the foreign money strengthened. However exports turned costly. International items flooded in. Argentinians most well-liked imported objects. Native factories collapsed. Jobs vanished.
By 2001, the nation ran out of {dollars}. The economic system broke down. The peso plummeted. Riots broke out. Banks had been stormed. Argentina defaulted once more.
The Lovely Sport, the Ugly Distraction
Soccer was by no means only a sport in Argentina. It was political gasoline. Peron used it. So did each authorities that adopted.
In 1978, Argentina hosted and received the FIFA World Cup. The nation cheered. Streets stuffed with pleasure. However behind the celebration, a army dictatorship tortured and silenced hundreds. Human rights had been trampled. The economic system was bleeding. Nobody seemed.
That World Cup value round $700 million in at this time’s cash. The federal government, already in debt, spent it anyway for propaganda and distraction.
Paid homage to Gurudev Tagore in Buenos Aires. Gurudev Tagore had visited Argentina in 1924 and had left a long-lasting impression on the minds of many individuals on this nation, particularly students and college students.
We in India take immense delight within the contributions of Gurudev Tagore to… pic.twitter.com/7gRkCz7rAW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
Repeatedly, leaders turned to soccer to win love. Stadiums had been constructed. Tournaments had been hyped.
In the meantime, corruption scandals grew. Unemployment soared. Essential reforms had been shelved. Soccer stored individuals entertained. Politics stored collapsing.
Even now, the sport stays a nationwide ardour and a strong instrument to deflect consideration from damaged methods.
What Argentina Teaches the World
Argentina was wealthy in each manner – land, livestock, minerals and manpower. However poor choices, fragile establishments and short-term politics pulled it backward.
My go to to Argentina has been a productive one. I’m assured that our discussions will add important momentum to our bilateral friendship and fulfil the sturdy potential that exists. I thank President Milei, the Authorities, and the individuals of Argentina for his or her heat.… pic.twitter.com/JvtcxV5gSt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2025
Inflation continues. Corruption runs deep. Navy recollections nonetheless echo. And soccer nonetheless takes heart stage when budgets ought to.
What occurred in Argentina was not destiny. It was a results of selections. One after one other. Over a long time.
As we speak, it stands as each a cautionary story and a reminder that even the strongest nations can stumble if energy is misused, and distractions substitute course.