New Delhi: India and Chile today agreed to launch negotiations on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting President of Chile Gabriel Boric.
PM Modi said in his address: “Today we have decided to begin negotiations on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and we have directed our teams to work on this.
“We have also decided to promote cooperation in the area of Critical Minerals. We will also work to establish resilient supply and value chains,” the PM added.
The Chilean President said in a post on X:
“From New Delhi, together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we announce the start of negotiations toward a free trade agreement with India, tremendous news that formalizes our commitment to working together with such an important country in today’s world.
“This is in addition to the agreements we have reached regarding cooperation in mining training and exploration, disaster management, and collaboration in the cultural and Antarctic spheres.
“We continue working for increased investment and employment, the diversification of our economy, and to further strengthen our ties with a friendly country like India.”
The MEA spokesperson said in a post on X:
“India-Chile. United for progress.
“PM @narendramodi & President @GabrielBoric of Chile held wide ranging discussions at Hyderabad House today.
“Both leaders welcomed the launch of CEPA negotiations to further deepen India-Chile ties in trade, science & technology, critical minerals, health, agriculture, climate change and people to people ties.
“They also exchanged views on global issues of mutual interest.”
President Gabriel Boric Font, who arrived at the head of a high-level delegation, is on a state visit from April 1-5.
President Boric is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides Ministers, his delegation includes Members of Parliament, senior officials, business associations, media and prominent Chileans involved in the India-Chile cultural connect.
This is President Boric’s first visit to India in his official capacity. He will also visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru before returning to Chile on April 5, a statement said.
The two sides saw warming of their ties during the visit of Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Van Klaveren, in August last year. The Chilean FM had met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and also with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, during which the two sides discussed launching negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The two nations have a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), signed in 2006, and are keen to expand their trade ties.
