Areas of cooperation between India and Chile

India is a very attractive and relevant market for Chile. We are already increasing our trade with India, especially in two sectors — which are very characteristic of our economy — minerals, especially copper, and agriculture. We are exporting several agricultural products to India, especially nuts, wines and some other agricultural products. But we want to increase the variety of our products in India.

We also had a meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and we expressed our interest in deepening our commercial ties with India.

With the External Affairs Minister, we also talked about cultural exchanges, defense relations, science and technology, and space. So it’s a variety of issues which we touched upon.

Cooperation on lithium and copper

We explained our national strategy for lithium, which was adopted last year, and we also explained the possibilities for Indian investments in the lithium sector, especially participating in tenders of the new lithium deposits, which are being opened by the government.

Obviously India expressed interest in lithium, which is considered a critical mineral, and which also plays a very important role in terms of the plans for electromobility in India and also for the fabrication of EVs (electric vehicles), especially smaller EVs. I think that’s also an area in which both countries can cooperate much more.

Our copper deposits are open for investment. So there is a possibility of Indian companies participating in the tenders, which are being presented by the government.

Agriculture cooperation and India’s presence in Chile’s medicine market

We talked about the possibility of cooperation in the agricultural sector. Chile is advanced in some areas in agriculture and those are possible areas of cooperation between both countries.

India exports specially manufactured products and medicines. There is a possibility of expanding the Indian presence in the medicine market in Chile. There are also some joint ventures in the pharmaceutical sector between the Indian and Chilean companies. India could expand its presence in terms of medicines in our market as part of trade negotiation.

So, on one hand, we could expand our agricultural offer in India, and on the other hand, India could also win from better market access for its medicines.

And from the Chilean side, the products we are looking at, beyond nuts and wine, are fruits in general. We have the advantage of being an off-season exporter because of the difference between our seasons — we are in the southern hemisphere. So there are several fruits which could be exported… Also from India to Chile, mango, for instance, and other more tropical products which are not produced in our country (can be exported).

On defense cooperation

There is interest. There is a very dynamic defense industry in India, and probably more can be done to promote the Indian defense industry in Chile. We invited our Indian colleagues to promote the participation of the Indian defense industry in the different defense fairs, which take place in Chile, and also to develop a more direct relationship between our ministries of defense.

Chile’s ties with China

We have a very good relationship with China. We very much value our relations in the area of ​​trade with China; it is the main market up to now for our exports. We also have very close relations with other big markets and big powers like the United States, obviously, and Europe, especially through the European Union. So we try to have diversified international relations, especially in the economic sphere, and also in the political sphere. And we don’t want to be caught in the tensions between the major powers. We define our interests autonomously, and we try to keep a certain balance between our different relationships. We think that India can also play a very relevant role in that respect.

India’s outreach towards Latin America after being a late-starter

Well, we hope that will change. We would very much like to see more Indian presence in Latin America… Especially in this context of increasing multipolarity, India plays a positive role in the international system. And it’s an economic powerhouse; I think the time has come to see India more active in Latin America. This year, in November, the next G20 leaders’ summit will take place in Rio in Brazil. And I think that could also be an opportunity for Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to have contact with Latin American leaders who participate in the meeting.

Russia-Ukraine war

We see the war between Russia and Ukraine as a war of aggression on part of Russia. We see Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a war of conquest, and we have condemned Russian actions in Ukraine in a very clear way. It’s a cause for concern for us, because we think that in the 21st century, use of force should be prohibited, and we think that many principles have been affected in that war.

India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war

We see it in a positive way. I must say it was not a part of our conversation with our Indian colleague, but in general, we think that India can play a very positive role in terms of mediating in that area, precisely because of its good relations both with Russia and with Ukraine. .

On CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations

We are talking about the possibility of initiating a negotiation, but we understand that internal consultations are still to take place between the different internal actors here in India. We are very interested in advancing in our CEPA negotiations, but right now, we are still in the preparations of the negotiations. So we understand that all the studies for the negotiation have been concluded, but still there is a political decision on the Indian side which has to be taken. We are absolutely ready to start the negotiation but we need that the two parties agree about the beginning of the negotiation.

Key takeaways from the visit

Well, I think there is a great potential for the strengthening of relations between Chile and India. And that’s precisely the reason why I am here trying to promote that strengthening of the relations.