India, Chile strengthen ties in critical minerals, Antarctic cooperation
New Delhi, April 1. India and Chile on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in critical minerals and Antarctic research, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscoring Chile’s strategic importance as a key partner in India’s quest for mineral security and polar exploration.
Following delegation-level talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font in New Delhi, Modi highlighted the importance of Chile for India in Latin America.
“Chile is an important friend and partner for India in Latin America,” Modi said in a joint media briefing with Bric following the talks. “In today’s discussions we identified several new initiatives to enhance cooperation in the coming decade.”
While welcoming the growth in mutual trade and investment, he said that both sides agreed that there is also untapped potential for greater cooperation. He stated that teams from both sides have been directed to begin discussions on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
“Partnerships in the field of critical minerals will be emphasised,” Modi said. “Work will be done to establish resilient supply and value chains.”
Chile has the world largest copper reserves and also significant reserves of lithium. While copper is a crucial raw material for India’s electrical and industrial sectors, lithium is needed in view of India’s focus on electrical vehicles and renewable energy.
“In the field of agriculture, cooperation will be done to ensure food security by combining each other’s capabilities,” Modi said.
He also stated that India is ready to share its positive experience with Chile in the areas of digital public infrastructure (DPI), renewable energy, railways, and space among other areas.
“We see Chile as the gateway to Antarctica,” the Prime Minister said. “We welcome the agreement reached today on the letter of intent (LoI) between the two sides to enhance cooperation in this important area.”
He also highlighted that India has been a reliable partner in ensuring Chile’s health security.
“We agreed to further deepen this cooperation,” he stated. “It is a matter of great joy that the people of Chile have adopted yoga as a healthy lifestyle. Declaring November 4 as National Yoga Day in Chile is inspiring for all of us. We also considered increasing cooperation in Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Chile.”
Modi also referred to the growing cooperation in the field of defence between the two sides and described this as “a symbol of our deep mutual trust”.
“In this area, we will move forward to create defence industrial manufacturing and supply chains according to each other’s needs,” he said. “We will increase cooperation between the agencies of both the countries to face common challenges like organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.”
At the global level, the Prime Minister said, India and Chile agree that all tensions and disputes should be resolved through dialogue.
“We are unanimous that reform of the United Nations Security Council and other institutions is necessary to face global challenges,” he stated. “Together we will continue to contribute to global peace and stability.”
Following the delegation-level talks, apart from the LoI on Antarctica cooperation, India and Chile signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the areas of cultural exchange, disaster management and copper mining.
