Barthwal calls for creation of global value chains between 2 countries
The India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will pave the way for a deeper economic partnership and the creation of strengthened global value chains between the two countries, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on 30 May in New Delhi at the inauguration 1st Round of India-Chile CEPA Negotiation https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
Terms of Reference for negotiating the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were signed on 8 May 2025. The first round of negotiations commenced on 26 May 2025, with the Opening Ceremony inaugurated by Barthwal in the presence of Ambassador of Chile to India Juan Angulo.
The next round of negotiations is expected in July/August 2025 and will be preceded by intersessional discussions through virtual conferences to address outstanding issues in advance of the upcoming meeting https://fieo.org/.
The launch of the CEPA negotiations was welcomed by both nations during the State Visit of the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, to India in April 2025 and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Boric conveyed that India is a priority partner for Chile in the global economy and highlighted the need to explore strategies for enhanced and diversified trade between the two countries.
Both leaders welcomed the initiation of negotiations towards a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial CEPA aimed at achieving deeper economic integration https://www.nseindia.com/.
The Chilean negotiating team, comprising 17 delegates, was led by Chief Negotiator Pablo Urria, Director for Asia & Oceanic at the Secretariat of International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile.
The Indian delegation was headed by Chief Negotiator Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce.
Discussions during the round were held across 17 thematic tracks including: Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons, Rules of Origin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Initial Provisions and General Definitions, Core and Institutional Provisions, Final Provisions, Transparency, Dispute Settlement, Economic Cooperation, MSMEs, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Critical and Strategic Minerals Trade & Sustainable Development, Global Value Chains, Investment Promotion & Cooperation, and Intellectual Property Rights https://www.bseindia.com/.
The CEPA aims to unlock the full potential of the trade and commercial relationship between India and Chile, boosting employment, bilateral trade, and economic growth. The modalities of negotiation will emerge through stakeholder consultations and industry feedback. Both sides are committed to a gainful and explorative approach to ensure a successful and meaningful agreement. Fiinews.com
