New Delhi: During a recent visit to India, Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren emphasised the importance of strengthening defence ties. This visit included discussions on potential collaborations in military technology and equipment, reflecting a broader strategy to modernise Chile’s military capabilities.
The discussions included potential defence exports and joint ventures, building on past collaborations such as the purchase of a support vessel by the Chilean Navy from India in 2020. Indian company Larsen and Toubro also supplied a naval ship to Chile previously.
The two nations are looking to upgrade their existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would broaden the scope of trade beyond agriculture to include sectors like technology and digital services. This move is seen as crucial for both countries to enhance their economic ties and explore new markets.
The partnership is particularly significant given the changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, where countries are increasingly focused on updating their military capabilities. Chile’s interest in collaborating with India is seen as a strategic move to bolster its maritime security and defence. Moreover, the discussions are expected to pave the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would expand trade beyond traditional sectors to include digital services and investment.
This partnership reflects a broader trend of increasing defence cooperation between India and Latin American countries, as India seeks to expand its influence and market presence in the region.
