Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a five-day state visit to India, marking a significant step in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations. Upon his arrival, Boric was warmly welcomed by Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the arrival of President Boric with a post on X, “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.”
Accompanying President Boric is a high-level delegation that includes ministers, parliament members, senior officials, business representatives, media personnel, and prominent Chileans involved in the India-Chile cultural exchange. The delegation is scheduled to visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru before concluding the visit on April 5.
Following his arrival, the Chilean President took to X to express his enthusiasm about the visit: “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.”
He further emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, saying, “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!”
President Boric is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1 for comprehensive discussions on the full spectrum of India-Chile relations. A special luncheon will also be hosted by PM Modi in Boric’s honour.
In addition to his meeting with PM Modi, President Boric will also engage with President Droupadi Murmu for further deliberations. A banquet will be hosted in his honour following their discussions.
The Chilean President’s itinerary includes visits to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will meet with political leaders, industry heads, startup entrepreneurs, and technology innovators. The goal of these meetings is to foster deeper collaboration between India and Chile across various sectors, including agribusiness, technology, and innovation.
The MEA highlighted the importance of this State Visit as an opportunity for both nations to assess and enhance their bilateral relations. It is also a chance to deliberate on regional and global matters of mutual interest.
“India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterized by warmth, friendship, and a shared commitment to a range of global issues,” the MEA stated. “Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral forums and share similar views on climate change, renewable energy, and on expanding and reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).”
Chile has long supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC, with the support being reaffirmed in a Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the official visit of the Chilean Foreign Minister to India in April 2003. Chile and India also share concerns about the threat of international terrorism and have consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms.
Earlier this year, a parliamentary delegation led by BJP Lok Sabha MP Jagdambika Pal visited Chile from January 11-15. The delegation participated in the Summit meeting at Congreso Futuro on January 13 and the Third World Summit of the Committees of the Future on January 14. During the visit, the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with Chilean parliamentarians on a wide range of topics.
(With IANS inputs)