Chilean president arrives in India for 5-day visit, to hold talks with PM Modi

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a five-day State Visit to India. He was received with a warm welcome by Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon landing at the airport.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the news on social media, saying, “Bienvenido, President Gabriel Boric! President Boric of Chile landed in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Accorded a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour.”

Accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers, parliament members, senior officials, business representatives, media personnel, and prominent Chileans engaged in India-Chile cultural exchanges, Boric is set to visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru before concluding his visit on April 5.

Upon arriving in India, 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.”

Emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral ties, he added, “We’re here to strengthen and reinforce 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 President will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1, and the two leaders will hold discussions covering the full spectrum of India-Chile relations. PM Modi will also host a special luncheon in Boric’s honor.

Additionally, President Boric will meet with his Indian counterpart, President Droupadi Murmu, for further discussions, followed by a banquet in his honor.

In Mumbai and Bengaluru, Boric will engage with political figures, industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, and technology innovators, aiming to foster collaborations between the two nations across various sectors.

The MEA highlighted that this State Visit provides an opportunity for both countries to assess their bilateral ties and deliberate on regional and global matters of mutual interest.

“India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterized by warmth, friendship, and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral fora and share similar views on climate change, renewable energy, and the expansion and reforms of the UNSC,” the MEA said.

Chile has consistently supported India’s claim to a permanent seat in the UNSC since a Joint Statement in 2003. Both countries also share concerns about international terrorism and have condemned it in all its forms and manifestations.

A parliamentary delegation from India, led by BJP Lok Sabha MP Jagdambika Pal, had visited Chile from January 11-15, engaging in discussions with Chilean parliamentarians on various issues.