The first round of negotiations for the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) concluded in New Delhi on May 30, 2025. The negotiations, which commenced on May 26, 2025, follow the signing of the Terms of Reference on May 8, 2025, and a high-level dialogue between the two countries. Discussions covered 17 thematic tracks including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights. Both nations aim for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial CEPA to achieve deeper economic integration. The next round of negotiations is expected in July-August 2025, preceded by virtual intersessional discussions. Both sides have committed to stakeholder consultations and industry feedback.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce Industry: The Indian ministry involved in the India-Chile CEPA negotiations.
IndiaChile CEPA: India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
New Delhi: The location where the 1st round of India-Chile CEPA negotiation concluded.
30 MAY 2025: Date of the press release regarding the conclusion of the first round of negotiations.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi. Source of the press release.
India: One of the countries involved in the CEPA negotiation.
Chile: One of the countries involved in the CEPA negotiation.
Terms of Reference: Document outlining the scope and objectives for negotiating the IndiaChile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA, signed on 8th May, 2025.
8th May, 2025: Date when the Terms of Reference for negotiating the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA were signed.
26th May, 2025: Date when the first round of negotiations commenced.
Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal: The Commerce Secretary of India who inaugurated the Opening Ceremony.
Ambassador of Chile to India H.E. Juan Angulo: The Ambassador of Chile to India who was present at the Opening Ceremony.
JulyAugust 2025: The expected timeframe for the next round of negotiations.
President of Chile, H.E. Gabriel Boric Font: The President of Chile who visited India in April 2025.
April 2025: Month of the State Visit of the President of Chile, H.E. Gabriel Boric Font, to India.
Honble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi: The Prime Minister of India who met with the President of Chile.
Mr. Pablo Urria: Chief Negotiator and Director for Asia Oceanic at the Secretariat of International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile.
Secretariat of International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile: The Chilean ministry that Mr. Pablo Urria belongs to.
Shri Vimal Anand: Chief Negotiator and Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce for the Indian delegation.
Department of Commerce: The Indian government department to which Shri Vimal Anand belongs.
Trade in Goods: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Trade in Services: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Movement of Natural Persons: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Rules of Origin: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Technical Barriers to Trade: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Initial Provisions and General Definitions: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Core and Institutional Provisions: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Final Provisions: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Transparency: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Dispute Settlement: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Economic Cooperation: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
MSMEs: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions, referring to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Womens Economic Empowerment: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Critical and Strategic Minerals Trade Sustainable Development: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Global Value Chains: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Investment Promotion Cooperation: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Intellectual Property Rights: A thematic track in the CEPA discussions.
Abhijith Narayanan: Potentially a person involved with the release.
Ishita Biswas: Potentially a person involved with the release.
Release ID: 2132899: The identification number for this release.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
1st Round of India-Chile CEPA Negotiation
Concludes in New Delhi
Posted On: 30 MAY 2025 8:42PM by PIB Delhi
In furtherance of the commitment made during the high-level dialogue between India and Chile, the Terms of
Reference for negotiating the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were
signed on 8th May, 2025. The first round of negotiations commenced on 26th May, 2025, with the Opening
Ceremony inaugurated by Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal in the presence of Ambassador of Chile
to India H.E. Juan Angulo.
During the inauguration, Shri Barthwal emphasized that the agreement will pave the way for a deeper
economic partnership and the creation of strengthened global value chains between the two countries.
The next round of negotiations is expected in July/August 2025 and will be preceded by intersessional
discussions through virtual conferences to address outstanding issues in advance of the upcoming meeting.
The launch of the CEPA negotiations was welcomed by both nations during the State Visit of the President of
Chile, H.E. Gabriel Boric Font, to India in April 2025 and his meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India, Shri Narendra Modi. President Boric conveyed that India is a priority partner for Chile in the global
economy and highlighted the need to explore strategies for enhanced and diversified trade between the two
countries.
Both leaders welcomed the initiation of negotiations towards a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and
mutually beneficial CEPA aimed at achieving deeper economic integration.
The Chilean negotiating team, comprising 17 delegates, was led by Chief Negotiator Mr. Pablo Urria,
Director for Asia & Oceanic at the Secretariat of International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Chile. The Indian delegation was headed by Chief Negotiator Shri Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary,
Department of Commerce.
Discussions during the round were held across 17 thematic tracks including: Trade in Goods, Trade in
Services, Movement of Natural Persons, Rules of Origin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical
Barriers to Trade, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Initial Provisions and General Definitions,
Core and Institutional Provisions, Final Provisions, Transparency, Dispute Settlement, Economic
Cooperation, MSMEs, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Critical and Strategic Minerals Trade &
Sustainable Development, Global Value Chains, Investment Promotion & Cooperation, and Intellectual
Property Rights.
The CEPA aims to unlock the full potential of the trade and commercial relationship between India and Chile,
boosting employment, bilateral trade, and economic growth. The modalities of negotiation will emerge
through stakeholder consultations and industry feedback. Both sides are committed to a gainful and
explorative approach to ensure a successful and meaningful agreement.
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Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2132899)