PM Modi and Chilean President Hold Bilateral Talks at Hyderabad House
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at the iconic Hyderabad House in New Delhi, marking a significant step in strengthening India-Chile relations. The bilateral discussions primarily focused on enhancing cooperation across various domains, including economic, commerce, and societal engagement. The leaders explored new avenues to deepen ties and foster mutual growth, aiming to leverage the strong foundation of their long-standing diplomatic relationship.
Following the discussions with PM Modi, President Boric was scheduled to meet with India’s President Droupadi Murmu. A banquet was also planned in his honour, celebrating the occasion and reinforcing the warmth between the two nations. Earlier in the day, President Boric paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, where he honored the legacy of India’s Father of the Nation. Sharing his reflections on the solemn visit, Boric posted on X, "Together with our delegation of ministers and parliamentarians, we paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, the memorial erected in his honour in New Delhi. His legacy reminds us that with India, we not only share common interests and a future of great opportunities for our people but also shared fundamental values".
Boric arrived in New Delhi earlier on Tuesday for his five-day State Visit to India, and was warmly received at the airport by Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita. The Chilean President was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour, highlighting the importance of this visit. Upon his arrival, Boric expressed his optimism for the visit, sharing his excitement on X: “6:30 a.m. in New Delhi, and from here we begin this State Visit to India, a momentous occasion for strengthening and diversifying our economic, political, and cultural relations at a time when multilateral cooperation is more necessary than ever. We are talking about the fifth-largest economy and the most populous country on the planet, with whom we share common ground and opportunities for growth in key areas such as agribusiness, innovation, and the creative industries”.
The Chilean President also highlighted the diverse delegation accompanying him, which included government officials, business leaders, cultural figures, and academic representatives. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship, with a focus on trade, investment, and knowledge exchange. "We’re here to strengthen and deepen our ties, and that’s why I’m joined by government officials, the National Congress, business leaders, leaders in the fields of innovation and culture, distinguished professors, and students. A busy schedule. I’ll keep you posted!” he said.
Before meeting with PM Modi, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also met with President Boric. The two leaders discussed ways to bolster the already robust bilateral ties between India and Chile. Jaishankar expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, stating on X, “Pleased to call on President Gabriel Boric of Chile at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his commitment for deepening our long-standing cooperation. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will foster new partnerships and greater engagement”.
President Boric’s itinerary also includes visits to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will engage with political leaders, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators. These engagements aim to strengthen collaborations between the two nations in sectors such as technology, agribusiness, and startups. By fostering such connections, Boric hopes to open new opportunities for cooperation that benefit both India and Chile.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underscored the importance of this visit as an opportunity for both countries to review their long-standing relationship and deliberate on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The MEA statement highlighted that India and Chile share a history of warm diplomatic ties and align on various global challenges, particularly on climate change, renewable energy, and the expansion and reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Chile has consistently supported India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat, having articulated its backing in a joint statement following the Chilean Foreign Minister’s visit to India in 2003.
Additionally, both countries share a common stance on combating international terrorism, with Chile condemning terrorism in all its forms. The MEA noted that the bilateral relationship continues to thrive on shared values and a commitment to multilateral cooperation, making this State Visit a pivotal moment for both nations.
