British Prime Minister David Cameron and Argentine President Cristina Kirchner were involved in a confrontation on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Cameron approached Ms Kirchner before the first session of the summit, and told her she should ‘respect the views’ of Falkland Islanders.

"I am not proposing a full discussion now on the Falklands but I hope you have noted that they are holding a referendum and you should respect their views.

"We should believe in self determination and act as democrats here in the G20." Cameron said to the President.

Ms Kirchner is reported to have replied with ‘ramblings’, according to Downing Street aides.

Later on Kirchner was seen showing the Prime Minister some documents. Some reports indicated, she was trying to hand him an envelope, but a Downing Street official denied this.

"We don't need an envelope from Kirchner to know what the UN resolutions say.... All the UN resolutions do refer to the UN charter, which enshrines the principle of self-determination and that is what we are asking the Argentines to respect," the official said.

Before Tuesday's session, Mr Cameron said in a TV interview:

"The Falkland Islanders have decided to have a referendum. They are going to ask a very simple question of whether they want to continue with the status quo or whether they want to change.

"The message to Argentina is very clear - listen to what the people of the Falkland Islands want.

"We should all believe in this day and age in self-determination, not colonialism."