NEW DELHI

India and Chile decided Tuesday to begin talks on a comprehensive trade pact.

The announcement came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted visiting Chilean President Gabriel Boric in the national capital, New Delhi, for bilateral talks.

“Today we have instructed our teams to begin discussions on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA),” Modi said in a media statement after the talks. He described Chile as an “important partner” for India in Latin America.

India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both leaders held “wide ranging discussions” on Tuesday.

“Both leaders welcomed the launch of CEPA negotiations to further deepen India-Chile ties in trade, science and technology, critical minerals, health, agriculture, climate change, and people-to-people ties,” Jaiswal wrote on X.

Boric is on a state visit to India from April 1 to 5. Indian officials said the country's relations with Chile have “traditionally been warm and friendly.”

“Chile is an important partner for India in the Latin American region,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson added.