Chile waives visa rules for Indians holding valid US visa

President Kovind along with his Chilean counterpart Sebastian Pinera witnessed the signing and exchange of three MoUs in the fields of mining, culture and disability, following delegation-level talks.

The President welcomed Chile’s decision on visa-free entry for Indians as a step that would promote both cultural and business ties.

Later, addressing the India-Chile Business Roundtable in Santiago, the President said that for India and for Indian business, Chile is not just a market; it is a very important and long-term partner country. “Chile is India’s window to Latin America and to the Pacific Alliance. The President said that the two countries shall work together to expand their trade basket and open new pathways for economic engagement. We can cooperate in areas such as marine research and other scientific exploration,” he said, adding that India is also keen to strengthen its collaboration with Chile in the space sector.

The President reached Santiago, Chile in the evening of 30 March 2019 on the final leg of his visit to three nations – Croatia, Bolivia and Chile.

On 31 March 2019, the President visited the Pablo Neruda Museum in Santiago. He gifted a special pen to the Museum made by the family whom Gandhiji encouraged to develop the first indigenous fountain pen in India.

On the same evening, the President addressed a gathering of Indian community and friends of India at a reception hosted by Anita Nayar, Ambassador of India to Chile. 

Yesterday (1 April), the President commenced his engagements by paying respects at the Monumento Al Libertador General Bernardo O’ Higgins. Thereafter, he visited the ‘La Moneda’ Presidential Palace where he was received by Sebastian Pinera, the President of Chile and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Subsequently, the President led the delegation-level talks between the two sides. Speaking on the occasion, he said that although trade relations between India and Chile are doing well, the two countries can do much more. Chile is the fifth largest trading partner of India in the Latin American region. 

At present, copper constitutes more than 85 per cent of India’s imports from Chile. He said the two countries must diversify their trade basket to further strengthen trade.

The President also thanked Chile for its strong condemnation of the recent Pulwama Terror. The two countries agreed to work together to strengthen global response to defeat and destroy terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and hold those responsible, accountable for their brutality against humanity.

India also offered training slots to Chilean armed forces in the premier defence institutions, including for courses in mountain warfare and peacekeeping. The two countries also agreed to explore opportunities for other cooperation in the defence field, including joint manufacture of defence equipment under the `Make in India’ programme.

The President said that in financial year 2017-18, India drew about $62 billion in FDI and was recognised as among the world’s most attractive investment destinations. Given this, Chile’s modest investment in India is an anomaly. Since the beginning of the century, Chilean companies have invested just about US$ 150 million in India. This needs to be rectified.

He said that Chile’s two sovereign wealth funds have a reputation for sound investment decisions. They could consider opportunities in Indian infrastructure sector. Together we can design investment products that serve Chile’s Economic and Social Stabilisation Fund as well as its Pension Reserve Fund – and feed into the Indian growth story. This would lead to a win-win situation.

Later speaking at a luncheon banquet hosted by President Pinera, the President said that India-Chile bilateral agenda is expansive. “From energy to security, and from Yoga to outer space, we have much work to do together.”

In the final engagement in Chile, the President addressed the students and faculty of the University of Chile on the topic ‘Gandhi for the Young’.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Mahatma Gandhi belonged to all cultures and he drew from all religions. While deeply rooted in Hinduism, Gandhiji was also influenced by Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam as also by thinkers such as Tolstoy, Ruskin and Thoreau. He thus came to represent the confluence of all that was best in the East and the West.

The President said that Mahatma Gandhi carried his concept of universal love to include living in harmony with nature. He advocated both sustainability and ecological sensitivity at a time when the industrial revolution and increasing mechanization were the mantra guiding the world. He promoted concepts which are now enshrined in the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations.

The President said that Gandhi was a unique persona who inspired both the East and the West, who forged new pathways for human endeavour, while at the same time maintaining the strength and sanctity of tradition and spiritual roots. To all those who are adrift today in a sea of doubt and scepticism, his life, thought and philosophy would inspire them to regain inner strength and confidence. Mahatma Gandhi was more than just a man, he was an ideology, an institution that still resonates more than a hundred years after it was developed.

In the evening (April 1, 2019), the President left for Cape Town on his way back to India. He will take the opportunity provided by the transit halt to address the Indian Community in Cape Town.