New Delhi: India and Chile agreed to start negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and increase defense and security cooperation, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Chile’s President Gabriel Borik for bilateral talks. India also signed four agreements with Chile, including a single one for cooperation in Antarctica.
Modi described the Latin American country as the entrance of India to Antarctica. The PM said, “We welcome the expansion of mutual trade and investment and we agree that there is unused ability for further cooperation. Today, we have directed our teams to initiate discussion on a mutually beneficial comprehensive economic participation agreement.”
He insisted that the partnership in the field of important minerals will be emphasized. “Efforts will be made to set up flexible supply and price chain. In agriculture, we will cooperate to increase food security by taking advantage of each other’s strength,” Modi said.
Modi also appreciated the growing cooperation in the field of defense, saying that it is a symbol of deep mutual trust. He said, “In this area, we will move forward to create defense industrial construction and supply chain as per each other’s needs,” he said, both sides will increase cooperation to face general challenges like organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.
The PM also said that India and Chile agree that all stresses and disputes should be resolved through dialogue, underlining the need for UNSC reforms. “We are unanimous in saying that to face global challenges, it is necessary to improve the United Nations Security Council and other institutions. Together, we will continue to contribute to global peace and stability,” he said. Chile’s side reiterated its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
The two leaders agreed that according to a joint statement, terrorism should be fought through global works. The statement said, “Both countries reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism in Financial Action Task Force (FATF), no money for terrorism and other multilateral platforms.”
