New Delhi, Mar 27 (Reporter) India and Chile are likely to begin talks on negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during the state visit of President Gabriel Boric Font, from April 1-5. President Boric is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides Ministers, the high-level delegation accompanying him will include Members of Parliament, senior officials, business associations, media and prominent Chileans involved in the India-Chile cultural connect. This will be 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, a statement said. During the visit, President Boric will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1, covering the entire gamut of India-Chile relations. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. During his visit, President Boric will also hold discussions with President Draupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. The two sides saw warming of their ties during the visit of Chile’s Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren, in August last year. The Chilean FM met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during his visit. The two nations have a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), signed in 2006, and are keen to scale up trading relations with a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) has helped in reducing customs duties on over 1,000 products. The trade composition majorly consists of India’s imports of Chilean fruits and wines while New Delhi exports agricultural products and medicines. The two sides are keen to include critical minerals in the trade talks. Chile is the global leader in lithium ore and the second largest producer of copper, and holds an important position in the global supply chain of renewable energy sources, which would be valuable for India’s renewable energy sector. Lithium is needed for battery production. Then President Ram Nath Kovind visited Chile in 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, while then MoS for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi participated in the Curtain Raiser event of International Day of Yoga in May 2022 in Santiago during her two-day visit to Chile. The first India-Chile Joint Commission Meeting was held virtually in October 2020, co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister and the Chilean Foreign Minister. The second Joint Commission Meeting co-chaired by External Affairs Minister and Chilean Foreign Minister was held in New Delhi in August 2024. The 8th round of India-Chile Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi in March 2023. India and Chile have signed Agreements/MoUs covering various fields of cooperation such as Science and Technology, Antarctica, Defence, Air Services, Agriculture, New and Renewable Energy, Education, Geology and Mineral Resources, and Gainful employment of spouses and eligible dependents of diplomatic personnel. In the latest visit, a parliamentary delegation led by Jagdambika Pal, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha visited Chile in January 2025 for participation in the Summit meeting at the Congreso Futuro (13th January) and the 3rd Third World Summit of the Committees of the Future (14th January) and exchanged views with Chilean parliamentarian on a wide range of issues. Chile is the fifth largest trading partner of India in the LAC region. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 4,000 Overseas Indians (1,850 NRIs and 2,150 PIOs) living in Chile. The majority are from the Sindhi community who are mainly engaged in business, and have integrated well into Chilean society. One third of them live in Iquique and the rest are in Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Punta Arenas. India’s relations with Chile have traditionally been warm and friendly. Chile is an important partner for India in the Latin American region. Chile was the only country in the LAC region to send a Special Envoy to India’s Independence Day celebrations in 1947. The two countries have commonality of views on several international issues including UNSC reforms, climate change, renewable energy and terrorism. Chile is also an important trading partner for India in the LAC region. While in Mumbai and Bengaluru, President Boric will meet the political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, innovators and tech leaders. The forthcoming State Visit of President Boric will provide an opportunity for the leaders to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, as well as to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement added...////...