Chile’s Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna is beginning an official visit to India from May 9 to 15, 2026, in a trip expected to give fresh momentum to India-Chile economic, diplomatic and strategic engagement. The visit comes at a time when both countries are working to deepen trade ties, expand business cooperation and move closer toward a broader trade agreement with special focus on critical minerals, agriculture, food products, technology and investment.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Mackenna is scheduled to arrive in Delhi late on May 9. His programme includes engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru, with meetings involving senior Indian ministers, business organisations and industry representatives. The visit is expected to combine diplomatic dialogue with strong business outreach, reflecting the growing economic importance of India-Chile relations.
On May 11, the Chilean Foreign Minister will attend business events organised by the Forum of Indian Food Importers and ASSOCHAM in New Delhi. These engagements are important because Chile is already known globally for agricultural exports, fruits, wine, seafood and food products, while India offers a large and fast-growing consumer market. Closer food and agri-trade cooperation could therefore become one of the practical outcomes of the visit.
On May 12, Mr. Mackenna is scheduled to meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at Vanijya Bhawan. He will also attend a business event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and participate in the CII Annual Business Summit 2026. These meetings are likely to focus on expanding bilateral trade, investment flows and the proposed India-Chile trade agreement.
The trade dimension is especially significant because India and Chile have already moved toward negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. During Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s visit to India in April 2025, both sides welcomed the launch of CEPA negotiations and said the agreement would aim to unlock the full potential of bilateral trade and commercial relations.
Critical minerals are expected to remain one of the most important areas in the relationship. Chile is one of the world’s major producers of copper and is also a key player in the global lithium ecosystem. For India, access to such minerals is essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, battery manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and clean-energy supply chains. During the April 2025 joint statement, India and Chile agreed to accelerate cooperation in exploration, mining, processing, research and development, and resilient critical mineral supply chains.
News On AIR noted that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier said India is likely to conclude an FTA with Chile soon, which would help secure critical minerals needed for the country’s growth and industrial requirements. This gives the present visit added importance, as both sides are expected to continue conversations around trade liberalisation and supply-chain security.
On May 13, Mr. Mackenna will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, followed by another meeting with Piyush Goyal and a joint meeting with Indian and Chilean business delegations. This schedule shows that the visit is not only diplomatic but also strongly commercial in nature, with both governments trying to bring industry directly into the bilateral engagement.
The Chilean minister will also travel to Bengaluru, where he is scheduled to meet Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank M. Kharge, on May 14. This part of the visit underlines the technology angle in India-Chile ties, especially in areas such as IT, innovation, start-ups, digital systems, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
India and Chile have been steadily expanding their cooperation beyond traditional trade. The April 2025 joint statement listed several priority sectors, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digitisation, innovation, disaster management, science and technology, education and people-to-people links.
Health and pharmaceuticals also remain promising areas. India is a major global supplier of affordable medicines, vaccines and medical products, while Chile has shown interest in strengthening healthcare cooperation. Both sides had earlier agreed to facilitate private-sector cooperation in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices, and to address market-access issues for Indian pharmaceuticals.
The visit also reflects India’s growing outreach to Latin America. As New Delhi looks to diversify trade partners and secure reliable sources of minerals, energy, food and technology cooperation, countries like Chile are becoming increasingly important. Chile, on its part, sees India as a priority partner in the global economy and a major market for expanded trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
Overall, Francisco Perez Mackenna’s India visit comes at a strategically important moment. With CEPA discussions gaining traction, critical minerals becoming central to industrial policy, and business delegations from both sides seeking new opportunities, the visit could help push India-Chile relations into a more practical and commercially driven phase. For India, Chile offers access to critical resources and a gateway to deeper Latin American engagement. For Chile, India offers a vast market, growing industrial demand and a strong partner in technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and clean-energy supply chains.
Sources:
https://www.newsonair.gov.in/chile-foreign-minister-francisco-perez-mackenna-to-commence-visit-to-india-today/
https://www.mea.gov.in/media-advisory.htm?dtl/41116/Official_Visit_of_HE_Mr_Francisco_Perez_Mackenna_Minister_of_Foreign_Affairs_of_the_Republic_of_Chile_to_India_May_0915_2026
https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/39313/India++Chile+Joint+Statement+April+01+2025
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