Visit of the President Dr. Michelle Bachelet of Chile to India: A Picture Synopsis

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet (L) arrives with Chile's ambassador to India Alfonso Silva for a meeting with Indian industrialists in Mumbai March 19, 2009.

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet posing for a photograph in front of the Taj Mahal, during his visit to Agra on March 18, 2009.

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet meeting with the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in New Delhi on March 17, 2009. The Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Shri Anand Sharma is also seen in the picture

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet meeting with the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet addressing at a Business luncheon meeting jointly organized by CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet in New Delhi on March 17, 2009

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet (L) gestures as Chief of India's ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi watches before their meeting in New Delhi March 17, 2009

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet signing the visitors book at Rajghat in Delhi on March 17, 2009. The Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Shri Anand Sharma is also seen in the picture.

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet interacting with the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at a cultural programme organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 16, 2009.

The President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting a bouquet of flowers to the President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet at a cultural programme organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 16, 2009. Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat is also seen in the picture
The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet being received by the Minister of State for External Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Anand Sharma on her arrival at New Delhi on March 16, 2009.

India is on top of Chile's Asia business policy: Bachelet *

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, left, talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before a delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India,Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

MUMBAI: India and Chile would double their bilateral trade to USD six billion in the next five years and strengthen the cooperation in new areas like IT and biotechnology.

Speaking at a seminar, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet today said, "the two countries have agreed to endeavour to double bilateral trade in next five years." Chiles trade engagement with India is poised for a big leap with the two countries looking to upgrade the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), she said. The PTA between Chile and India, which has been in force since August 2007, has facilitated the growth in bilateral trade which reached USD 2.3 billion in 2008 from USD 300 million in 2004, Bachelet, the first woman president of Chile, said. The seminar was on 'Chile-India Investment and Business Opportunities' organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here. "The two countries have agreed to enhance the periodic exchanges of business missions and participation in each others trade fairs to promote bilateral trade," she said.
Economic Times,

19 Mar 2009, 1808 hrs IST, PTI

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Chilean president offers incentives to Indian investors

India eNews, Business Friday, March 20, 2009

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Friday invited Indian IT companies to partner with their Chilean counterparts to 'build global projects' and also to help her country's development.
Bachelet, who came to India Monday for a five-day official tour, was speaking at a function here, organised by the IT industry lobby, National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom).
Applauding India's growth in the IT sector during the last decade, the Chilean president said: 'Indian companies could partner with Chilean companies to build global projects.'
'Our goal is to become a developed economy within a generation from a middle income economy,' she added.
Describing her visit as a 'productive' one, Bachelet said her government would offer 'attractive tax incentives' to private companies that were interested to invest in Chile.
At present, over 70 percent of the total investment in research and development (R and amp;D) in Chile is funded by the state.
According to Chilean Economic Minister Hugo Lavados, the government is intensifying its efforts to increase the broadband connections, strengthen e-governance initiatives and promote IT usage in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Miguel Perez Arata, president of the Association of IT Companies (ACTI), an IT industry lobby in Chile, said nearly 80 percent of the companies in that country would fall under the SME category, employing around 100,000 people.
The hardware industry accounts for 60 percent of the $3-billion IT industry in Chile, while the software sector contributes to 30 percent with the rest coming from the service sector.
'With hardware penetration fairly high, the focus is now on the other two segments. The target is $1 billion IT exports by 2010,' Arata said.

http://www.indiaenews.com/business/20090320/186111.htm

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Avesthgen enters strategic alliance with Uxmal SA

Bangalore, Mar 20 : Avesthagen Limited, one of India's leading healthcare technology group, has entered into a strategic alliance with Uxmal S A, a Chilean biotechnology company, for promoting research and development of bioactives for commercialization and use in functional foods, healthcare and cosmetics.
The MOU was signed by Avesthagan Limited Founder and CMD Dr Villoo Morawala Patel and Uxmal S A Managing Director Manuel Gidekel in the presence of Chile President Dr Michelle Bachelet, according to a release here today.Avesthagen also announced its international expansion by setting up Avesthagen Latam SpA, Chile. This elevates Avesthagen into the special league of Indian companies who are etching a global footprint based on R & D capabilities and the ability to translate them into products with global appeal.The companies have entered into the alliance to work on Bioactives and tissue culture for development of a Bioinformatics platform based on Latin American Medicinal plants, development and commercialization of functional foods based on bioactives developed by Avesthagen and those from Latin American Medicinal plants, development of bioactives and tissue culture of a specific plant species for commercial applications and production of bioactives globally. The particular plant is a source for Photo-protective active for dermal healthcare and for Oncology/Neoplasic applications Marketing of Biosimilars that are in an advanced stage of development at Avesthagen.
--- UNI

http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-6946.html

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NASSCOM signs pact with ACTI

CHENNAI: NASSCOM, the premier trade body of Indian IT industry, on Friday signed a MoU with Chile-based Association of Information Technology Companies (ACTI) which would enable growth and development of IT sectors in the two countries.
The MoU was signed by NASSCOM President, Mr Som Mittal and ACTI President Mr Miguel Perez in the presence of Chilean President Ms Michelle Bachelet.
As per the MoU, NASSCOM and ACTI would share common goals and act as a channel for mutual collaboration between IT companies in both the countries.
It would also help create platforms such as work programmes to facilitate sharing of experiences and complementary abilities.
India and Chile would interchange information, publications and opinions that concern the growth and development of IT industry at least once in a year.
The agreement would also work towards constructing a systematic collaboration of placing in the market innovations that were produced in India, so that Chile shall be the 'First Technology Adopter and Adapter' giving the Chilean business access to latest technologies as well as exporting them to the Latin American and other markets. - PTI

The Hindu Business Line,

Friday, March 20, 2009.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/15201510.htm

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Chile can use MSSRF model: Bachelet

Long-term issues need to be tackled through research
Safe use of frontier technologies

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet (centre), MSSRF chairman M.S. Swaminathan and Minister of Agriculture, Chile, Marigen Hornkhol Venegas at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai

CHENNAI: The work done by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in rural India and coastal areas could be replicated in Chile, which had similar problems, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said here on Friday.
While working on long-term issues like global warming that needed to be tackled through research, the MSSRF was also actively engaged in immediate problems such as drought and rural poverty, she said.
The President interacted with participants through video-conferencing from two Village Knowledge Centres established by the MSSRF in Puducherry and Nagapattinam districts and said there were plans to use information technology in a similar fashion in Chile, especially to eradicate poverty and provide basic health services.
With a long coastline similar to India’s and similar health and poverty-related issues, Chile could use the technology and processes developed by the MSSRF to its benefit, she said, while presiding over the signing of the Partnership Framework Agreement between the MSSRF and the Foundation for Innovation in Agriculture (FIA), a Chilean organisation established by the Ministry of Agriculture.
M.S. Swaminathan said agricultural innovation involving safe and responsible use of frontier technologies was important to meet current challenges of food security and agrarian prosperity and also to tackle emerging challenges caused by global warming and climate change.
Dr. Swaminathan added that MSSRF was in the process of setting up a ‘National Resource Centre for Genes for a Warming India,’ which would consist of the genetic material of crops resistant to drought, heat, salinity and floods.Mutual benefit
Later, Ajay Parida, executive director, MSSRF, said the partnership agreement would allow scientists from both institutions to exchange ideas for mutual benefit. Since Chile’s geography with many hills and valleys made communications difficult, scientists would also have to come up with solutions adapted to Chilean conditions. He said Prof. Swaminathan was expected to visit Chile in a couple of months, and separate agreements would be signed in the coming year after a thorough study.

The Hindu,
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009.
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/21/stories/2009032156081100.htm

‘Financial crisis has highlighted the importance of state, social protection’ *

The failure of the Washington Consensus is leading countries in Latin America to look for more progressive leaders, says Chile’s PresidentMichelle Bachelet. DIFFERENT MODEL: We will be able to demonstrate that growth can go hand in hand with social protection, says Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet.


As an open economy highly dependent on trade, Chile was especially vulnerable to the world financial crisis. But two decades of prudent macroeconomic policies built around the twin objectives of growth and social protection have provided its people a measure of protection. On a state visit to India, Chile’s socialist President Michelle Bachelet spoke to The Hindu about the crisis and its impact, the reason for her country’s interest in expanding relations with India, and the prospects for progressive integration in South America.

When you look back at the growth in trade with India since the Preferential Trade Agreement was signed in 2006, you must have a tremendous sense of satisfaction.


The trade growth has really been spectacular. We have gone from $600 million to $2.2-2.5 billion in less than four years. And Indian companies are investing in Chile. But we could do much more. And that’s the sense of my visit here. In 1947, when the British flag came down and the Indian flag came up, the only Latin American country present here was Chile, accompanying you in that historical moment. Since then, our relations have been very good. Of course, this was mainly from the political point of view because of nonalignment. But the last decade is when Chile identified the Pacific Rim and then Asia as the most dynamic region of the world, a natural place to find new markets. We came to APEC, to the heart of Asia, and then we said this is not possible if we do not include India. So we started working we developed the PTA and right now, in our joint declaration, we intend to examine a free trade agreement. Chile has 19 different agreements with 56 countries like Canada, the EU, the U.S. and Latin American countries. In Asia, we have the PTA with India and FTAs with China, Japan, Korea. As a first step, Prime Minister Singh said we should have the goal of doubling our trade, and I think that’s perfectly possible. But if we are able to sign an agreement that could allow Indian products to come to Latin American markets through Chile, they could also — if they set up companies in our country — benefit from all the other FTAs. So it’s a win-win situation. And we hope we can advance in that direction.

You are also pushing for cooperation in new areas education, space, energy. What does Chile hope to gain from India?


Chile has advanced on a lot of fronts and we are on track to become a developed country by 2020. But in order to get there, we need to improve our capabilities. And we see India as a huge economic leader, but also an important leader in the political arena. That is why Chile has always supported India as a permanent member of the Security Council in a reformed U.N. We also see India as an example of how one could develop. Life expectancy when the British regime ended was pretty low and now it is more than 60 years. Of course, you have great challenges but you are great leaders in technology, information systems, services, and innovation. Chile has good people and land but we could do more for example taking steps regarding quality of education. We have high levels of access: 98 per cent of the population has basic studies, 92 per cent with 12 years of school, and out of every 10 students at the tertiary level, 7 are first generation students, so we are producing social mobility. And we are starting a huge programme for kindergarten, free of charge for people who have no money. But we need to improve the quality of education, because otherwise, they will have access but not equity. And we have a deficit in engineering, innovation, biotechnology. Second, we need to improve our English skills. We believe sending students abroad could also help. We are sending them to Canada, the U.S. and Australia but India is an important place to come.

Chile has been relatively insulated from the financial crisis but now the first signs of recession are appearing there too. How do you intend to weather this storm?


We are still not in recession, though the last trimester was not good. We are well protected but are feeling the crisis for two reasons. Part of our economic growth was due to high copper prices and copper demand. Because of the recession elsewhere, copper demand has slowed. And prices that were at $4 a pound are now around $1.6. Second, we already had the direct impact of the U.S. sub-prime crisis in those regions in Chile which exported 80 per cent of their timber for housing. But right now, we are sound in the sense that in the 1980s, during the military regime, we had a huge bank crisis and introduced reforms and regulation. So this time, the impact on our banks was very little. Second, we have a sound macroeconomy, and we have reserves. When copper prices were high, we created a counter-cyclical fund. We have two funds, for pension and social benefits. So when copper prices fall, we don’t want to deal with it as in the past, by cutting benefits or pensions. So even though the crisis has impacted us, we have a fiscal budget that is counter-cyclical aimed at public investment in infrastructure and housing and social protection.

In many ways, the financial crisis is also a crisis of economic theory and free market ideology.


I have to say this crisis was no surprise for us at all! Of course, our thought was not the perspective that was winning in the world we always thought the market is no god. You need markets, but healthy, sound, strong markets and you always need states to regulate. Markets won’t produce equity because it’s not their job to produce it, that’s the role of the state. So the crisis has highlighted the role of the state and the importance of public polices and the urgent need for restructuring the Bretton Woods institutions. They were probably adequate post WWII. Right now, they do not represent the real world. Important countries Brazil, India do not have the representation they should in the IMF and World Bank. We need to reform both the architecture and representation. We need to develop new strategies and polices and see how these financial institutions could respond to the actual needs of the countries.

You followed a different economic model in Chile but is there scope for rethinking some of things you did in the past, like privatisation? The Hindu recently published an article about how disastrous water privatisation has been for poor communities in your country.


In Latin America the Washington Consensus was followed because they said, if you follow these policies, you will have happy populations, you will live better. But that was not exactly the truth. May be the reforms were necessary but not sufficient. In Chile, when we recovered democracy we also inherited a very neoliberal economic model. Since then, we have been introducing many reforms, so today you have a model which brings together economic growth with social justice. We believe we do not have to make a trade off. And even though Chile will feel some impact of the crisis, we’ll be able to respond to the crisis and protect our population and demonstrate that growth can go hand in hand with social protection. Of course, there are some changes you will have to make even in this path, and this is natural.

Chile and Latin America have attracted attention around the world because of the steady march to power of progressive and left parties, the most recent being in El Salvador, and for the integration efforts being made.


In this regard, how serious an initiative is the new South American union, Unasur?
The Washington Consensus was no solution so people said let us try another alternative. Most countries are looking for more progressive leaders and that explains what we see in the Latin American political arena. We have always said about Unasur and other regional organisations that in order to succeed we need to understand the unity among our diversity. We have some differences. Some believe, like Chile, in more openness, integration and FTAs, and others don’t. And others have different traditions in politics. But we have the same challenges and we all understand that only through integration can we solve our problems. Take energy. Chile has hydroelectricity, others have gas and oil, and most do not have sufficient energy supplies. But all together, we have more than sufficient energy. Then there is connectivity, not only to be in touch but to move products from the Atlantic to the Pacific and open more markets for ourselves. And last week, we inaugurated the new South American Defence Council in the domain of Unasur, something unthinkable a few years ago.

We are not thinking of a common army but of doing things together, analysing our defence policies and working for peace. If you ask me, will Unasur be strong, I think we are on that path. Probably what we need to do more of is to move from rhetoric to a concrete action plan. And that’s what I have been speaking about.

A final question, you were yourself a political prisoner during the Pinochet dictatorship. Do you think enough has been done to bring the perpetrators of human rights violations during those years to justice?



I would say we have done a lot. Most of [those] people are facing justice. But we have to do more. We have a bill in parliament that is still there, creating an institute for human rights. But what we have to do is go one step further in learning to respect each one’s diversity. Let me explain. Everyone will tell you they respect each other but we need to do more in terms of understanding that diversity enriches us. And I am talking not only politically but in terms of gender issues, [the rights of] aboriginal groups, that old and young can be as much a part of society. To understand that diversity — and also political diversity — enriches us is to be able to consolidate democracy and we continue to do that. When he was President, Ricardo Lagos set this new policy that there is no future if you do not take into consideration the past and solve it correctly. And in order to do that, you have to advance in truth, justice and reconciliation. We are today looking in a much better position as a community of Chileans. Of course we still have to deal with problems of the past. We still have to deal with passions, feelings that are there, tragedies that are there. But I think we are advancing in the right direction.

Siddharth Varadarajan
Opinion - Interviews
The Hindu,
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009.

Visit of the President Dr. Michelle Bachelet of Chile to India: Agreements signed between India and Chile**

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chile, Mr. Alfonso Silva and the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Shri Shantanu Consul signing the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Chile on Co-Operation in the Field of Geology and Mineral Resources, in the presence of the President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chile, Mr. Alfonso Silva and the Scientific Secretary, ISRO, A. Bhaskaranarayana signing the agreement between India and Chile on Cooperation in the Exploration and Utilization of Outer Space For Peaceful Purposes, in the presence of the President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chile, Mr. Alfonso Silva and the Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Deepak Gupta signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India and the National Energy Commission of Chile, in the presence of the President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet at the delegation level talks, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

**=Link Attached

Joint Press Statement on visit of Chilean President to India


17/03/2009



Joint Press Statement on the occasion of the state visit of President of Chile H.E. Dr. Michelle Bachelet to India


1. Her Excellency, Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile paid a state visit to India from 16-20 March 2009, at the invitation of Her Excellency, the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

2. The visit assumes special significance as it coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Chile. The anniversary was marked by the holding of a special concert in New Delhi on 16th March 2009 at which both Indian and Chilean artists performed in the presence of the Presidents of both countries.

3. President Bachelet held fruitful discussions with President Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Vice President of India, External Affairs Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson, UPA (United Progressive Alliance) called on her. Both sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the pace at which mutually beneficial cooperation is progressing.

4. As democratic nations, Chile and India share values such as, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms including religious, rule of law and tolerance.


5. Prime Minister Singh and President Bachelet underlined the importance of enhancing trade and economic relations. They noted that the Preferential Trade Agreement [PTA] between Chile and India, in force since August 2007, has facilitated the growth in bilateral trade which reached US$ 2.3 billion in 2008. They welcomed the growing and dynamic trade relations and agreed that the PTA has opened new avenues for cooperation and investment for Chilean and Indian companies. Both Leaders evinced interest in exploring the feasibility of entering into a Free Trade Agreement and expressed satisfaction that the process of broadening and deepening of the existing PTA has already been initiated. It was also agreed to enhance the periodic exchanges of business missions and participation in each other’s trade fairs to facilitate promotion of their respective countries’ products and services. Both sides agreed to endeavour to double bilateral trade in the next five years.

6. The two Leaders expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in new areas such as Information Technology (IT) and bio-technology in which India is regarded as a pioneer amongst developing nations.

7. The two sides welcomed the growing interest of Chilean and Indian educational institutions in establishing stronger ties. This was reflected in the two Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Jawaharlal Nehru University with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and with the Universidad del Desarrollo, on 21st October 2008 and 22nd October 2008, respectively. In the same spirit they welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Madrás and the Universidad de Talca, to be signed on 20th March 2009.



8. The Leaders noted with satisfaction that Defence Attachés had been posted in New Delhi and Santiago and that there were growing exchanges of high-level defence visits and prospects for stepping up training programs between the armed forces of both countries.

9. Both sides agreed to pursue cooperation in the Antarctica in accordance with the MoU of April 2008. In this context, the Chilean side invited India to join its 2009-2010 Scientific Antarctic Expedition by sending an expert scientist to participate in an Ice Coring research project. India proposes to host a joint scientific conference on Polar Science at a suitable date convenient to both the countries within the framework of the MOU.

10. With a view to further enhancing the mutually beneficial ties between India and Chile in different spheres of co-operation, the following documents were signed at the conclusion of the talks between the two sides:

• A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy between the National Energy Commission of the Republic of Chile and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Republic of India.
• An Exchange Programme on Cooperation in the field of Education between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Education of Chile.
• An Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Chile on Cooperation in the Exploration and Utilization of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Chile on Cooperation in the Field of Geology and Mineral Resources.



They also noted that the proposal for signing a Cooperation Agreement on Gender Equality between both countries is at an advanced stage of consideration.

11. The two sides noted with satisfaction the growing links between the private sectors and Non Governmental Organizations of their respective countries. In this regard, they welcomed the proposed signing during the visit of :

• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Chilean¬–Indo Chamber of Commerce;
• An Investment Agreement between University Adolfo Ibanez of Chile and Avesthagen India;
• An Agreement between NASSCOM [National Association for Software and Service Companies of India] and ACTI [Chilean Association of Information and Technology Companies];
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Fondo de Innovación Agrícola (FIA) of Chile and the Swaminathan Research Foundation of India.



12. Chile strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Mumbai on 26th November 2008. Pursuant to the attacks, the President of Chile had written to the Prime Minister of India condemning the “heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks as they constitute crimes against humanity and a threat to human safety on a global scale”. Chile voiced the hope that the intellectual and actual perpetrators would be identified soon and brought to justice. In this connection, both Leaders called for enhanced international cooperation and exchange of information through appropriate channels in order to enhance the ability of the governments to fight terrorism. In this regard, they reiterated that early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is imperative to consolidation of counter terrorism efforts within the UN.

13. Both Leaders reiterated their continued commitment to multilateralism and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Chile and India reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including expansion of the Security Council to make this body more representative, legitimate and effective. Both nations stressed and acknowledged the need for continued efforts by the Member States to ensure meaningful and result-oriented intergovernmental negotiations. Chile reiterated its support for India's permanent membership on an expanded UN Security Council. They also confirmed their reciprocal support for each other’s candidature for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2011-12 [India] and 2014-15 [Chile].

14. Both countries seek a development-oriented, ambitious and balanced outcome to the Doha Development Round at the earliest.



15. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to continue negotiations within the framework of the Bali Plan of Action in order to reach an agreed outcome for the effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This outcome must respect the provisions and principles of the UNFCCC, in particular, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

16. Chile and India agreed on the importance of the promotion of joint initiatives on R&D on advanced clean technologies with the objective of finding concrete and innovative solutions to the issue of climate change. In this regard, they urged developed countries to establish a global fund to promote renewable energy and clean technologies, both in terms of application of existing technologies as well as R&D into new and innovative technologies.



17. The two Leaders held in-depth discussions about the ongoing financial and economic crisis and agreed that it was important that the regulatory failure in developed countries leading to the crisis should be urgently addressed. They called on developed countries to ensure uninterrupted flow of development assistance and credit, as well as encouraged the flow of foreign direct investment into developing countries. Countries should not respond by taking recourse to protectionist measures. They further agreed that in the medium and long-term, there is need for far reaching and comprehensive reforms of the existing international financial institutions to craft a new international financial architecture for the future in order to reflect the contemporary realities.

18. President Michelle Bachelet expressed her appreciation for the hospitality and warmth extended to her and her delegation by the people and the Government of India during her state visit. She invited the President and the Prime Minister of India to pay state visits to Chile on mutually convenient dates. The invitations were accepted with thanks.

New Delhi
March 17, 2009


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Joint Statements
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

Visit of the President Dr. Michelle Bachelet of Chile to India

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh interacting with the media at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan ,in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009



The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the ceremonial reception of the President of Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 17, 2009.

Visit of the President Dr. Michelle Bachelet of Chile to India

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, in Delhi on March 17, 2009.
The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma is also seen.

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet being presented the bust of Mahatma Gandhi by the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma, at Rajghat in Delhi on March 17, 2009.

The President of the Republic of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet laying wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, in Delhi on March 17, 2009.
The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma is also seen.

Visit of the President Dr. Michelle Bachelet of Chile to India

The President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet being received by the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma, in New Delhi on March 16, 2009.

At the invitation of Rashtrapatiji, the President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. Dr. Michelle Bachelet will pay a state visit to India from 16-20 March 2009. She is expected to be accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Ministers of Agriculture and Women Empowerment and a business delegation.

During the visit, the President of Chile will call on Rashtrapatiji who will host a State Banquet in her honour on 17th March 2009, at Rashtrapati Bhawan. As a special gesture, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Chile, Rastrapatiji will host a cultural program at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 16th March 2009.

President Michelle Bachelet will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Vice-President, External Affairs Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chairperson UPA will call on her.

A number of Agreements are expected to be signed during the visit.

The last state visit was undertaken by President Ricardo Lagos of Chile in January 2005. Rashtrapatiji paid a fruitful state visit to Chile in April 2008.

March 13, 2009
Ministry of External Affairs,
New Delhi