APRIL 2: Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, met with the Minister of Culture, Arts & Heritage of Chile, H.E. Mrs. Carolina Arredondo, in New Delhi as part of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font’s five-day state visit to India. This meeting, held on 2nd April 2025, focused on strengthening the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
During their discussions, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled from 1st to 4th May 2025. Dr. Murugan extended a formal invitation to Chile to participate in the prestigious event. As a gesture of goodwill and cultural exchange, he presented H.E. Mrs. Carolina Arredondo with a painting depicting traditional Indian sculptures, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of India.
The meeting was attended by key members of the Chilean delegation, including Mr. Martín Gormaz, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Chile, as well as Indian officials such as Mr. Lakshmi Chandra, Under Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan M.N., Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. These discussions paved the way for future collaborations between the two nations in the fields of culture, entertainment, and education.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font is currently on his first official visit to India, commemorating the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Apart from New Delhi, President Boric is set to visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru during his visit, which aims to enhance bilateral ties and foster stronger collaboration in various sectors.
In a significant development, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Boric discussed the initiation of talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to expand economic linkages between India and Chile. Both leaders identified key sectors such as minerals, energy, defence, space, and agriculture as areas with immense potential for collaboration.
Additionally, healthcare emerged as a promising area for future cooperation, with the growing popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda in Chile reflecting a strong cultural exchange between the two nations. The leaders also emphasized the importance of deepening cultural and educational ties through initiatives such as student exchange programs, further solidifying the friendship between India and Chile.
This visit marks a significant step in strengthening the bilateral relationship, with both nations expressing commitment to deepening ties across multiple fronts.