PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described Chile as an “important friend and partner” for India in Latin America and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including Antarctica exploration, health security, trade, and strategic partnerships. Modi welcomed Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and his high-level delegation to India on his first State Visit. Addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi highlighted the growing bilateral relations and underscored the need to further expand collaboration. “Chile is an important friend and partner country for India in Latin America. In today’s discussions, we identified several new initiatives to enhance cooperation in the coming decade.

 

We welcome the growth in mutual trade and investment. We agree that there is also untapped potential for more cooperation in this,” PM Modi said. The Prime Minister revealed that both sides have directed their teams to initiate discussions on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which is expected to further boost trade ties. He also emphasised the significance of collaboration in critical minerals, resilient supply and value chains, and agricultural cooperation to ensure food security. PM Modi further stated that India is willing to share its expertise with Chile in digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, railways, and space technology. He noted the strategic importance of Chile as a gateway to Antarctica and welcomed the letter of intent signed between the two countries to enhance cooperation in this crucial region.

 

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s contribution to Chile’s health security and expressed a commitment to deepening collaboration. “India has been a reliable partner in ensuring the health security of Chile. We agreed to further deepen this cooperation,” Boric said. Highlighting cultural ties, PM Modi lauded Chile’s decision to adopt November 4 as National Yoga Day, calling it an “inspiring” gesture. He also emphasised the importance of traditional medicine, Ayurveda, and defence cooperation, pointing out that both nations are working towards enhancing industrial manufacturing and supply chains in the defence sector. At the global level, both leaders agreed on the need to resolve conflicts through dialogue and called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other global institutions to effectively address contemporary challenges.

 

He also noted that Chilean Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral found inspiration in the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Aurobindo Ghosh, emphasising the strong cultural ties between the two nations. “Chile’s literature has also been appreciated in India. The growing interest of Chilean people in Indian films, cuisine, and classical dances is a living example of our cultural relations,” he said. Recognising the Indian diaspora in Chile, PM Modi thanked the Chilean Government for its support. “Nearly 4,000 people of Indian origin who consider Chile their home are the custodians of our shared heritage. I express my gratitude to President Boric and his Government for taking care of them. We welcome the agreement reached today on the cultural exchange programme between the two countries. We also discussed simplifying the visa process and increasing student exchanges between India and Chile,” he added.