“The idea of FTA was one of the suggestions put forward by the Chilean side. The Government will look into all the suggestions on deepening our economic cooperation with Chile,” said Nalin Surie, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs ministry, falling well short of an open welcome to this offer.
“Given the strong credentials of both our economies and the growing outreach of our business houses, the time is now opportune for a substantial intensification of our economic engagement,” was the maximum the Indian President said about the increasing trade relations with Chile while addressing the media after her deliberations with Bachelet. During the discussions, President Bachelet reiterated her country’s support for India’s bid for a permanent membership in UN Security Council.
“We both agreed that time has come to reform major international institutions including United Nations. I have told President Patil about our support to Indian claim of permanent membership to the UN Security Council,” said Bachelet. She also called for reforming international financial institutions like IMF and World Bank.
“We agree that IMF and World Bank have a substantial role to play. But the reform of these institutions is needed for the global good. It is necessary to increase the voting power of emerging economies in the governance of these institutions,” said Bachelet.
Both sides signed four agreements for cooperation in the field of sports, science and technology, air services agreement, and a MoU on furthering the cooperation on Antarctica. Earlier in the day, Patil visited the Wall of Statues, at the Plaza de la India at one of the Central lanes of Santiago, where she paid her tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru.
... contd.
