Home / Business and Economy / India and Chile Negotiate Free Trade Deal, Eyeing Critical Mineral Access
India and Chile Negotiate Free Trade Deal, Eyeing Critical Mineral Access
16 Nov
Summary
- India and Chile to hold next round of CEPA negotiations in December 2025
- CEPA aims to expand existing PTA and cover sectors like digital services, investment
- India seeks preferential treatment for critical minerals from Chile under the pact
As of November 16, 2025, India and Chile are preparing for the next round of negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to take place in December 2025. The pact with the South American nation may help India access critical minerals, a key input for its electronics, automotive, and solar sectors.
India and Chile concluded the third round of CEPA negotiations in Santiago last month, on October 30, 2025. The four-day talks aimed to build upon the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries, which was implemented in 2006. The CEPA seeks to encompass a broader range of sectors, including digital services, investment promotion and cooperation, MSMEs, and critical minerals.
India's growing trade engagement with Chile reflects its strategic focus on strengthening partnerships with the Latin American region through mutually beneficial economic cooperation frameworks. While the bilateral trade between the two countries remains modest, with India's exports to Chile declining by 2.46% to $1.15 billion in 2024-25, India is now seeking preferential treatment for critical minerals from Chile under the proposed CEPA.
