New Delhi, Apr 1 (Reporter) India and Chile agreed to begin negotiations on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and also partner in the field of critical minerals and agriculture, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric here today. The outcomes announced today after the talks included: a Letter of Intent on Antarctica Cooperation; On Cultural Exchange; an MoU on disaster management; and an MoU between Hindustan Copper Ltd and a Chilean firm. PM Modi, in his remarks, said that for India, Chile is an important friend and partner in the Latin America region. “We have identified several new initiatives to further strengthen our cooperation in the coming decade. We welcome increase in the bilateral trade and investment. We are agreed that there is scope for further increase in this sector. “Today we have agreed to begin negotiations on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and are directing our teams to begin work on it,” the PM said. He said the two sides will boost cooperation in the field of Critical Minerals, and will work to establish resilient supply and value chains. “In the field of agriculture, we will join forces to ensure food security,” he said. PM Modi said that India is ready to share with Chile its experiences in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Railways, Space and other fields. “We see Chile as the gateway to the Antarctica. We welcome the signing of Letter of Intent to take forward cooperation in this important field.” In the field of health, the PM said that India has been a trusted partner for Chile in helping ensure health security to its people. “We have agreed to further deepen this partnership. It is a matter of great happiness that the people of Chile have adopted yoga as a way of life. It is a matter of great inspiration to us that Chile has notified November 4 as national yoga day in the country. We also discussed increasing cooperation in the field of ayurveda and traditional medicine.” “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence is symbolic of our mutual trust. In the defence sector, we will go forward in creating defence industrial manufacturing and supply chains keeping each other’s needs in mind. We will increase collaboration between our agencies to tackle common challenges like organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism.” “Globally, India and Chile agree that all tensions and disputes should be resolved through dialogue. We are unanimous in saying that to face global challenges, reform of the United Nations Security Council and other institutions is necessary. Together we will continue to contribute to global peace and stability,” the PM said. President Boric in his remarks said: “Today, 16 years after the last visit of a Chilean head of state to India, I take on the responsibility of continuing to strengthen our relations through important and concrete measures, one example of which is the start of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that we announced today. I thank the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his sincere interest in promoting our bilateral relationship. Count on Chile as a friend.” He said that launch of the CEPA negotiations was the result of “much work by our foreign ministries”. 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. 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. 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...////...