Sub-headline: India and Chile are pushing ahead with CEPA negotiations to expand bilateral trade and investment. Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, minerals, agriculture and engineering are among the key sectors identified for deeper cooperation.
Highlights:
- India and Chile advance negotiations on proposed CEPA
- India aims to conclude the trade talks in 2026
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held talks in Santiago
- Both sides seek balanced and commercially meaningful outcomes
- Healthcare, pharma, energy and minerals identified as key sectors
- Agreement could boost technology, talent and resilient supply chains
Story
India and Chile have made further progress in negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with India reiterating its commitment to conclude the talks in 2026.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met Chile’s Vice-Minister of International Economic Relations, Paula Estévez Weinstein, in Santiago on August 26, 2026, to review progress on the proposed trade agreement.
During the discussions, both sides stressed that the CEPA should translate their shared economic objectives into commercially meaningful opportunities for businesses and people in the two countries.
India reiterated its commitment to maintaining an open, sustained and balanced approach to strengthening economic relations with Chile.
The proposed CEPA is expected to create new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment while expanding cooperation in areas such as technology, talent and resilient supply chains.
Agrawal highlighted significant potential for deeper cooperation across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, minerals, agriculture, machinery and engineering. These sectors could play an important role in diversifying the economic relationship between the two countries.
India and Chile also share strategic ties as members of the Global South. Both sides emphasised the need to build on their existing relationship and create a stronger foundation for long-term economic engagement.
A successful conclusion of CEPA negotiations is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral trade and investment. It could also help businesses in both countries gain greater market opportunities while supporting cooperation across traditional as well as emerging sectors.
India said it remains committed to concluding the negotiations in 2026 and establishing a balanced and mutually beneficial framework. The focus will be on ensuring equitable and commercially meaningful outcomes for businesses on both sides.
