India and Chile have agreed to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and renewable energy, during the 9th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Santiago.

The talks, co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen, Secretary General at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an opportunity to review the progress made since Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s visit to India in April 2025.

Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in new and emerging areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure, innovation, green energy, and space technologies, while reaffirming commitments to existing partnerships in science and technology, civil nuclear cooperation, and education.

India also requested Chile to consider long-term supply agreements for critical mineral resources, highlighting the importance of Chile’s rich lithium and copper reserves to India’s clean energy transition. The MEA noted that discussions covered ways to diversify trade and investment flows and accelerate the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations for an early conclusion.

Another major topic was mobility and visa facilitation, especially the introduction of multiple-entry business visas for Indian professionals — an initiative announced by President Boric earlier this year.

“In order to diversify and strengthen bilateral relations, both sides agreed to expedite responses to finalise pending agreements in areas such as customs cooperation, recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia, traditional medicines and yoga, social security, space collaboration, and cultural exchanges,” the MEA said in a statement.

The two countries also committed to working closely at multilateral forums on global issues of mutual interest. Chile recently hosted the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Conference of the International Solar Alliance, where both sides explored joint investments in renewable energy technologies.

The next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date, reaffirming the growing strategic partnership between the two democracies.