By Dr Aparaajita Pandey
The diplomatic relations between Chile and India that began with the presence of a team of revolutionaries from Chile at the broadcast of the historic tryst with Destiny has completed 75 years. It’s been a long road and it has had its fair share of phases that were either full of activity or were characterised by hibernation. The first Indian Prime Minister to make a bilateral visit to the country of Chile was the former PM Indira Gandhi and since then there wasn’t too much initiative on the Indian side until the advent of the current government under the hon’ble PM Narendra Modi that Latin America and the Caribbean have been shown any kind of interest.
In the recent past however, there have been several high-level visits from India across Latin America including in Chile, and the Chilean trade minister as well as their PM has also visited India. The trade between India and Chile has grown consistently over the past years, where a slight dip was registered during the COVID years however, that was expected. As both countries emerge from the economic slowdown of COVID, they have much to look forward to in forging a stronger and deeper relationship.
Chile is one of the few Latin American nations that has a Preferential Trade Agreement or a PTA with India. Currently negotiations are underway for an FTA or a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Chile is extremely rich in Lithium and does possess the technology to exploit it. India has large reserves of Lithium in the Reasi region of Jammu and Kashmir, and India would very much like to indulge in the technology transfer between Chile and India of extracting energy from Lithium. This technology transfer would further aid the cementing of the India – Chile relationship which has seen a strengthening due to the growing defence partnership as well.
India and Chile have a potential for thriving defence trade. Chile is related on the pacific side of the South American continent and is very much a part of the Indian Indo – Pacific vision. However, it is also a reality that Chile has limited maritime defence capabilities. India can potentially be a great partner in the Chilean quest for maritime security and defence. In recent times as the dynamics of the Indo – pacific have changed and become more volatile, it has become increasingly important for countries of the region to constantly update their capabilities.
Recently, the US came up with the concept of QUAD Plus and Brazil was added as a member to the forum. While Brazil is a worthy member, it is geographically a country on the Atlantic coast and Chile seems to be a great addition on the Pacific coast.
Chile is also at the moment going through an overhaul of their socio- politico – economic standards. Led by Gabriel Boric, a new kind of Chile is trying to find its feet. Inclusivity and equality is the theme of the current parliament and Chile is trying to transform itself economically. To this objective Chile has decided to encourage startups with the policy of START UP CHILE and has 29 ponies and 1 unicorn as of now. They are also leading with a “Feminist Foreign Policy” where Chile feels that equal rights must be given to all contributing members, and they should all be evaluated on the basis of their calibre.
India has a similar approach where we are encouraging, and funding start ups in all sectors and making sure that they have the right kind of environment to grow. We also are pursuing a change in politics making the parliament more inclusive and pushing for a 33 per cent reservation for women in administrative positions. India and Chile have several platforms to collaborate upon. There are obvious obstacles of language, massive physical distance, and a cultural disconnect but greater people to people contact should be an easy facilitation of bridging this gap. Currently 3000 Indians live in Chile and a similar number of Chilean people live in India. A bridging of this gap would lead to greater cultural collaboration and would help immensely in bringing the two countries closer. India and Chile have a massive potential of being partners in case they decide to use it.
Author has a PhD in Latin American Studies from SIS, JNU
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