New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) The President of Chile Gabriel Boric arrived in India on his first state visit on Tuesday morning. He will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi later in the day, after which the two sides are set to ink some key MoUs.
The Chilean President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport. He was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
The MEA spokesperson said on X:
“Bienvenido, President @GabrielBoric!
“President @GabrielBoric of Chile landed in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Accorded a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour.
“Warmly received by MoS @PmargheritaBJP at the airport.”
The Chilean President posted 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.
“We're here to strengthen and strengthen 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!”
The Chilean Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela Van Treek, who is accompanying the president, said in a video post: “Among all the activities, in our case, we'll have important meetings with our counterpart, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Welfare, and also with the institution in charge of phytosanitary safety, equivalent to our SAG. We're working for Chile in the most populous country in the world.”
India and Chile are likely to discuss introduction of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during the state visit of President Gabriel Boric Font at the head of a high-level delegation, 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.
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, 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 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. The two nations have a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), signed in 2006, and are keen to expand their trade ties.
UNI RN