Marking his first trip to the country in his capacity as the youngest president of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font is set to make a historic State Visit to India from April 1 to 5, 2025. This high-profile visit is accompanied by a diverse and influential delegation, underscoring the growing significance of the relationship between the two nations.
President Boric will be accompanied by a large delegation, including key members of his cabinet, such as Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren; Finance, Mario Marcel; Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela; Mining, Aurora Williams; Women and Gender Equality, Antonia Orellana; Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Carolina Arredondo; as well as Undersecretaries Claudia Sanhueza (International Economic Relations) and Javiera Petersen (Economy).
Key Focus: Deepening of Political and Commercial Ties
This visit presents a significant opportunity to deepen political, economic, and cultural ties between India and Chile. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (March 27, 2025), President Boric’s discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1, 2025. The talks will cover a wide range of bilateral issues, from political collaboration to trade, investment, and technology transfer. The two leaders will explore opportunities for collaboration, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, climate change, and technological innovation. Prime Minister Modi will also host a lunch in honour of the visiting Chilean president.
In addition to meetings with Prime Minister Modi, President Boric will engage in talks with President Draupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. This visit provides a chance to review the bilateral ties between India and Chile, which share common perspectives on critical international issues, including UN Security Council reforms, climate action, and combating terrorism.
Business Delegation to Promote Trade and Investment
A business delegation of more than 50 representatives from various sectors, including agriculture, mining, technology, and finance are accompanying the Chilean leader. Notable business leaders accompanying President Boric include Máximo Pacheco, President of Codelco (the world’s largest copper producer), and representatives from major sectors such as walnuts, healthcare, and robotics.
Among them are prominent industry figures like Daniel Hojman (President of BancoEstado), Ignacio Fernández (Director of ProChile), and Pablo Zamora (President of Fundación Chile). From the agri-food sector, Juan Esteban Rodríguez , president of Chilenuts, will attend; Antonio Walker , president of the National Agricultural Society; Iván Marambio , president of Frutas de Chile; Froilán Flores , president of the Confederation of Free Markets (ASOF); Angélica Valenzuela , commercial director of Vinos de Chile; Juan Carlos Domínguez , president of ChileCarne; and Margarita Cuéllar , general secretary of the Association of Cooperatives of Chile.
In Mumbai, Boric will participate in business events, including meetings with Indian and Chilean agri-food industry CEOs, and promote Chile as an ideal destination for international audiovisual productions at the “Shoot in Chile” event. The visit will also include a high-level interaction with Indian startups, tech innovators, and the venture capital community.
Innovation and Technology in Bengaluru
The President’s trip will conclude in Bengaluru on April 4, 2025, where he will attend the Innovation Summit. This event will focus on fostering exchanges between Chilean and Indian innovators, building on India’s robust technological and industrial ecosystem. The summit aims to strengthen the bilateral partnership in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech collaboration.
In the innovation sector those accompanying the leader include Daniel Dacarett , director of Emprende Tu Mente; Komal Dadlani , CEO of Lab4U; Manuel Rozas, CSO and founder of Kura Biotech; Sol Besprosvan , General Manager in Chile of Tata Consultancy Services; Constanza Leviatán , president of Climatech; Christopher Schiess , director of Business Growth at The Ganesha Lab; Magdalena Guzmán , executive director of the Chilean Venture Capital Association; and Martin Andrighettti , engineer chosen as the best programmer in the world at TCS Olympus, a competition held in Mumbai.
Cultural and Educational Exchange
Cultural ties will also feature prominently in the visit, with a delegation of Chilean cultural figures participating. These include Alexandra Galvis (Vice President of the Association of Film and Television Producers), Paula Ossandón (Director of the Chilean Documentary Corporation), and Jennifer Mayani, a Chilean-Indian actress known for her work in Bollywood. Additionally, educational representatives such as Marcelo Pacheco, a robotics expert from Chile, and Susana Urrutia, a surgeon with expertise in Ayurvedic medicine, will showcase the growing cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations.
By Huma Siddiqui
The author is a seasoned Senior Journalist with over three decades of experience in covering Defence, Space, and the Ministry of External Affairs, with a special focus on strategic affairs. She has expertly blended defence and foreign policy reporting with economic and space diplomacy, offering a comprehensive view of global affairs.