India, Chile to focus on trade, defence, critical minerals: PM

India and Chile on Tuesday announced starting negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership pact as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held wide-ranging talks focusing on boosting the ties in areas of trade, defence, critical minerals and health.

- Press Trust of India

NEW DELHI:

Describing Chile as an important "friend and partner" for India in Latin America, Modi said several new initiatives were identified to enhance overall cooperation in the coming decade.

Boric, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, members of Parliament, senior officials and business leaders, is on a five-day state visit to India.

"India and Chile may be at different ends of the world map, there may be vast oceans separating us, but nature has linked us with unique similarities," Modi said in his media statement.