On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at Hyderabad House, kicking off the Chilean leader’s five-day state visit to India. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties in key areas such as trade, economy, and social cooperation. The talks centred on deepening India-Chile relations and identifying new opportunities for collaboration as both countries work towards stronger diplomatic and economic ties. Later in the day, President Boric will meet President Droupadi Murmu, followed by a special banquet in his honour.

During his visit to India, President Boric honoured Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, reflecting on the moment's importance. He wrote his thoughts on X: "Together with our delegation of ministers and parliamentarians, we paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, the memorial erected in his honour in New Delhi. His legacy reminds us that with India, we not only share common interests and a future of great opportunities for our people but also shared fundamental values.” Earlier in the day, President Boric arrived in New Delhi, where he was warmly welcomed by Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita.

Upon landing, he was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Expressing enthusiasm about the visit, he posted on X, “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.”

Highlighting the importance of collaboration between the two nations, Boric pointed out that India is the world’s most populous country and the fifth-largest economy. He emphasised shared opportunities in key sectors, stating, “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.”

In a post on X, Boric spoke about the diverse group accompanying him on his visit, which includes government officials, business leaders, members of the National Congress, and experts in innovation, culture, and education. He highlighted the purpose of the visit, stating, “We’re here to strengthen and deepen 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!”

Before Boric met Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the Chilean President. Their discussion focused on enhancing long-standing bilateral relations. After the meeting, Jaishankar shared his views on X, saying, “Pleased to call on President Gabriel Boric of Chile at the start of his state visit to India. Appreciate his commitment for deepening our long-standing cooperation. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will foster new partnerships and greater engagement.”

During his visit, President Boric will also travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will meet political leaders, industry experts, startup founders, and technology innovators to explore potential collaborations between India and Chile in key sectors. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that this state visit provides a significant opportunity for both countries to assess their bilateral ties and discuss regional and global matters of shared interest.

“India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterised by warmth, friendship, and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral forums and share similar views on climate change, renewable energy, and on the expansion and reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),” according to the MEA.