Diplomacy

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.

According to the joint statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the discussions were held in line with the Terms of Reference signed by the trade ministers of both countries on March 2, 2026. Both sides described the engagement as constructive and productive, while reaffirming their commitment to an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement.

As part of India’s Chairship responsibilities, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been mandated to convene three SME Working Group Meetings and the inaugural BRICS MSME Forum. The move places MSME development at the centre of India’s BRICS economic agenda, especially at a time when small businesses across emerging economies continue to face challenges in accessing timely and affordable credit.

The French side described India as a trusted partner in space and research cooperation. Prof. Baptiste expressed interest in strengthening collaboration across Earth observation, launch systems and space exploration. He also proposed deeper cooperation in human spaceflight, including astronaut training, microgravity experiments and long-term collaborative opportunities linked to India’s space ambitions.