The areas include trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, mining, education, space, and defence
Santiago
India and Chile held their 9th round of Foreign Office Consultations in Santiago, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors, including trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, mining, education, space, and defence.
The meeting, co-chaired by P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen, Secretary General of Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed progress on discussions held earlier between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Gabriel Boric during the latter’s state visit to India in April 2025. Both sides agreed to accelerate negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for early conclusion, emphasizing its potential to boost economic growth and bilateral trade.
India requested Chile to consider long-term agreements for the supply of mineral resources, while both countries expressed intent to diversify cooperation into emerging fields such as Digital Public Infrastructure, green energy, and innovation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that visa facilitation for Indian professionals and business visitors was discussed, including Chile’s proposed multiple-entry visa for Indian businesspersons, announced earlier this year by President Boric.
The consultations also explored cooperation in customs, recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia, traditional medicine and Yoga, social security, capacity building in security, education, and science and technology. Additionally, both nations underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties through cultural exchanges and educational linkages.
The MEA stated that the dialogue served as an important platform to assess ongoing collaborations and identify new avenues for partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expediting pending agreements and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest to foster a more comprehensive and future-oriented partnership.
