7TH FOREIGN OFFICE CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND CHILE

7TH FOREIGN OFFICE CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND CHILE

Context:

On September 14, 2021, the 7th Foreign Office Consultations between India and Chile was held in Santiago. Secretary (East) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riva Ganguly Das represented India. Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms Carolina Valdivia Torres represented Chile.

About the 7th Foreign Consultations:

• During the consultation process, both parties reviewed their bilateral relations including trade and investment, agriculture, defence, health and medicine, space, energy, disaster management, cooperation in Antarctica, cultural and private affairs.
• They also exchanged talks on the status of COVID-19 and opportunities to improve trade and investment cooperation in post-covid-19 economic recovery.
• They also exchanged views on regional and international affairs with the same interest as the United Nations.
• They have agreed to work closely with various forums

Preferential Trade Agreement:

• They noted trade as an important pillar of India-Chile relations and were satisfied with the ongoing negotiations for further extension of the Preferential Trade Agreement.
• The preferential Trade Agreement was signed in 2006 and extended in 2017.

India-Chile Relations

• Chile serves as a window to Latin America and the Pacific Alliance of India. It is the fifth-largest trading partner of India in the Latin American region.
• Both countries signed the Preferential Trade Agreement in 2017 with the aim of promoting trade.
• Cooperative trade between the two countries is growing over time.
• Both countries are also partners in the International Solar Alliance.
• In 2019, the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations was commemorated.