India, Chile push ahead on CEPA talks, new areas of cooperation at 9th Foreign Office Consultations
New Delhi, November 30. India and Chile have agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors during the ninth round of Foreign Office Consultations held in Santiago earlier this month.
The meeting was co-chaired by P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Chile’s Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen. It marked the first major review of bilateral engagement since Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s state visit to India from April 1-5, 2025.
Officials from both sides assessed progress on the priorities discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Boric earlier this year, with a particular focus on expediting the CEPA negotiations for an early conclusion. They also agreed to strengthen collaboration in long-standing areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, health, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, science and technology, mining and mineral exploration, defence, civil nuclear technologies, education, space cooperation, agriculture and cultural exchanges. India also urged Chile to consider long-term agreements for the supply of critical mineral resources.
Seeking to broaden the scope of the partnership, the two countries discussed expanding cooperation into emerging fields such as digital public infrastructure, innovation and green energy. New Delhi also raised the issue of easing visa procedures for Indian professionals and business travellers, including the launch of a multiple-entry business visa announced by President Boric during his April visit.
To give greater momentum to the relationship, both sides committed to speeding up work on several pending agreements. These include proposed pacts on customs cooperation, recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia, collaboration in traditional medicine and yoga, a Social Security Agreement, space-sector cooperation, training and capacity-building – including in security-related areas – and further initiatives in education, science, technology, culture and visa facilitation.
India and Chile also agreed to coordinate more closely at multilateral forums on issues of shared interest. With Chile recently hosting the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Solar Alliance, the two sides explored opportunities for deeper collaboration in renewable energy, including technology sharing and investments.
The two countries will hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
