Calling him a "key geopolitical player", Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Tuesday heaped praises for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic prowess particularly his ability to engage with world leaders. Speaking at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Boric, who is on a visit to India as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, remarked, “PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy, and the European Union, and Latin American leaders in BRICS or Iran. That is something that no other leader can say now. So you're a key player in the geopolitical atmosphere nowadays.” Expressing gratitude for the warm reception in India, President Boric said, "I am here for the first time for a state visit. I want to thank you for the warm welcome that we have received here. For the past 16 years, no one from Chile has come here, and in that 16 years, India has changed a lot." President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in his honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. #WATCH | Delhi | Speaking on India's geopolitical stance, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font says, ". India is committed to peace in the world. PM Modi has a weird status nowadays that he can talk to every leader of the world, Mr Putin, Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and the European… pic.twitter.com/5rm8YhgKxF — ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025 President Boric also expressed Chile's commitment to strengthening ties with India. "Chile is a country that is connected to the world, and now we want to work on our relationship with India. Today, we have signed several MoUs," he said. He stressed the importance of strategic autonomy and cooperation, saying, "We do not depend on one special country, but we have relationships with China, the United States, the European Union, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific. Now, we want to deepen our relationship with India, and we have taken important steps today." He also mentioned agreements signed with India, including those on cultural exchange and Antarctic research, noting Chile's strategic position as a gateway to Antarctica. On Prime Minister Modi's invitation, President Boric is visiting India from 1-5 April this year, marking 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He is accompanied by ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, and business leaders. Beyond New Delhi, he will visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This is his first visit to India, following his initial meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Upon arrival at Air Force Station Palam, he received a ceremonial welcome. PM Modi and President Boric held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House on Tuesday. He also met President Murmu, who hosted a banquet in his honor, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on him during the visit. (With inputs from agencies)
