India & Chile sign terms to launch CEPA talks, first round in May

Both sides reiterated their shared vision for strengthening bilateral relations and look forward to fruitful discussion during the first round scheduled for May 26-30^th 2025 in New Delhi.

The CEPA aims to build upon the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two nations and seeks to encompass a broader range of sectors, including digital services, investment promotion and cooperation, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), critical minerals etc thereby enhancing economic integration and cooperation, Ministry of Commerce & Industry said in a press release.

This shared commitment was reaffirmed during the recent state visit of the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, to India from April 1-5, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders recognised that trade and commerce have been a vital pillar of bilateral ties and stressed the need to strengthen the existing trade framework to explore new avenues for growth.

In this context, they acknowledged the signing of the mutually agreed ToR and welcomed the commencement of CEPA negotiations aimed at achieving a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement to deepen economic integration.

India and Chile, strategic partners with warm ties, strengthened their economic relationship through a framework agreement in 2005 and a PTA in 2006, later expanded in 2016. From 2019–2021, three negotiation rounds were held to further broaden the PTA. To enhance economic engagement, both sides agreed to pursue a CEPA, guided by the joint study group, whose report was signed on April 30, 2024.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)