India and Chile have taken fresh steps to strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on economic cooperation, healthcare, and investment opportunities. During a meeting in Santiago, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met with Chile’s Vice Minister of International Economic Affairs, Claudia Sanhueza, to explore new avenues of partnership between the two nations.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic engagement and reviewed ongoing discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The proposed CEPA aims to modernize trade relations, ensure mutual benefits, and open equitable opportunities for businesses in both countries. In addition, the dialogue covered digital public solutions and innovative frameworks to facilitate sustainable and inclusive trade growth.
Mr. Kumaran also met with the Undersecretary of Health of Chile to broaden cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and traditional medicine, including yoga. Both sides agreed on the need to streamline regulatory and registration processes for access to high-quality, affordable medicines. They also discussed joint research and development (R&D) initiatives in health sciences to foster knowledge exchange and innovation.
In a separate engagement, Mr. Kumaran interacted with representatives from Chile’s business community to identify ways to deepen trade and investment collaboration. The discussions highlighted promising sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, minerals, and agriculture. The Indian delegation emphasized that these industries hold immense potential for joint ventures and technology partnerships that can benefit both economies.
Encouraging greater business mobility, Mr. Kumaran invited Chilean entrepreneurs and investors to visit India and experience its rapidly growing market firsthand. He underscored India’s ongoing commitment to fast-track CEPA negotiations, which could pave the way for a stronger, more dynamic trade relationship between the two nations.
The talks between India and Chile mark another significant step toward building a modern, mutually beneficial partnership—anchored in shared values, economic growth, and sustainable development. Both sides expressed optimism about the future of their cooperation, seeing it as a foundation for deepening ties not only in trade but also in health, innovation, and cultural exchange.
