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.
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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
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