Date: 2026-05-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Republic of Chile Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Francisco Pérez Mackenna, Leads High-Level Delegation to India to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation
**Executive Summary**
On May 13, 2026, a high-level Chilean delegation led by Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna visited India to strengthen bilateral economic and commercial ties. The visit focused on deepening trade and investment cooperation, with a primary commitment to the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both nations identified several priority sectors for collaboration, including renewable energy and critical minerals, to build a future-oriented economic partnership.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Trade and Strategic Agreements**
* **CEPA Conclusion:** Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock the full potential of bilateral relations.
* **Institutional Engagement:** Discussions held between the Indian Commerce Secretary and the Chilean Vice-Minister of International Economic Relations focused on trade facilitation, market access, and strengthening institutional economic ties.
* **Economic Growth:** Both sides noted the steady growth in India-Chile economic relations and committed to expanding business-to-business engagement.
**Sectoral Collaboration and Innovation**
* **Priority Sectors:** An India-Chile Business Roundtable identified key areas for collaboration, including critical minerals, renewable energy, and agri-business.
* **Diverse Industry Focus:** Opportunities were explored in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, digital services, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
* **Economic Resilience:** Emphasis was placed on creating resilient supply chains, promoting sustainable development, and increasing private-sector participation.
**Bilateral Relations**
* **Diplomatic Foundation:** The engagement is built on mutual trust, democratic values, and a shared goal of building a stronger, future-oriented partnership.
* **Joint Momentum:** The visit aimed to sustain the momentum of bilateral ties through high-level ministerial discussions and multi-stakeholder interactions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Governments of India and Chile**
**Impact**
The visit strengthens diplomatic ties and sets a clear roadmap for finalizing a comprehensive trade agreement. It aligns both nations' policies toward mutual economic growth and sustainable development.
**Action Required**
Negotiators must finalize the modalities and legal frameworks required for the early conclusion and implementation of the CEPA.
**Private Sector and Industry Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Businesses in both countries gain a platform to explore new market access and investment opportunities in high-growth sectors such as green energy and digital services.
**Action Required**
Industry leaders should engage with the India-Chile Business Roundtable and explore joint ventures in the identified priority sectors to leverage improved trade facilitation.
**Logistics and Manufacturing Sectors**
**Impact**
These sectors are poised for growth due to the focus on resilient supply chains and advanced manufacturing collaborations.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders should align their operational strategies with the proposed trade facilitation measures and market access improvements discussed during the bilateral meetings.
Key Entities Referenced
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): The proposed trade agreement between India and Chile aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, market access, and investment cooperation.
Shri Piyush Goyal: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, who held high-level talks to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties with Chile.
Mr. Francisco Pérez Mackenna: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile, who led the high-level delegation to India to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation.
India-Chile Business Roundtable: A collaborative platform organized in New Delhi for industry stakeholders to explore cooperation in sectors like critical minerals and renewable energy.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The primary Indian government department responsible for facilitating bilateral trade negotiations and institutional economic engagement with Chile.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Republic of Chile Foreign Minister H.E. Mr.
Francisco Pérez Mackenna, Leads High-Level
Delegation to India to Strengthen Economic and
Commercial Cooperation
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal
Holds Talks with Chile Foreign Minister to Deepen Bilateral
Trade and Investment Cooperation
India and Chile Reaffirm Commitment for Early Conclusion of
CEPA; Discussions Cover Trade Facilitation, Market Access
and Investment Cooperation
Posted On: 13 MAY 2026 4:55PM by PIB Delhi
A high-level delegation from the Republic of Chile led by H.E. Mr. Francisco Pérez Mackenna, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Chile, visited India for bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening economic and
commercial cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal held discussions with the
Foreign Minister of Chile on further deepening bilateral trade and investment ties and enhancing
economic cooperation in priority sectors. Both sides noted the steady growth in India Chile economic
relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and business-to-
business engagement.
The discussions focused on the ongoing negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA) between India and Chile. Both sides acknowledged the importance of CEPA in
unlocking the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship and expressed their commitment to work
towards its early conclusion.
Commerce Secretary also held a separate meeting with Ms. Paula Estévez, Vice-Minister of International
Economic Relations (SUBREI), Government of Chile. Apart from discussing the modalities for early
conclusion of CEPA, the interactions also covered a broad range of issues relating to trade facilitation,
market access, investment promotion and strengthening institutional economic engagement between the
two countries.
As a part of the bilateral engagement, an India-Chile Business Roundtable was also organized in New
Delhi with participation from leading business representatives and industry stakeholders from both
countries. The Roundtable served as an important platform for exploring new avenues of collaboration in
sectors such as critical minerals, renewable energy, agri-business, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, digital
services, logistics and advanced manufacturing.Both sides emphasized the strong complementarities between the Indian and Chilean economies and
underscored the importance of resilient supply chains, sustainable development and greater private-sector
participation in advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
India and Chile share warm and longstanding relations marked by mutual trust, democratic values, and
growing economic engagement. The visit further strengthened the momentum in bilateral ties and
reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries towards building a stronger and future-oriented
economic partnership.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2260707) Visitor Counter : 329
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