India and Chile sign Terms of Reference for CEPA negotiations
India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on 8 May 2025, with the first round of talks set for 26–30 May 2025 in New Delhi.
Summary
India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 8 May 2025. The ToR was signed by Chile's Ambassador to India Juan Angulo and Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and India's Chief Negotiator. The first round was scheduled for 26–30 May 2025 in New Delhi. The CEPA builds on the existing Preferential Trade Agreement and seeks to cover digital services, investment, MSMEs and critical minerals. A Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed in January 2005 and the PTA in March 2006; an expanded PTA, signed in September 2016, took effect on 16 May 2017.
Key facts
- Signed
- 8 May 2025
- Signatories
- Juan Angulo (Chile's Ambassador); Vimal Anand (JS, Dept of Commerce)
- First round
- 26–30 May 2025, New Delhi
- Framework Agreement
- January 2005
- PTA
- March 2006; expanded PTA effective 16 May 2017
- New areas
- Digital services, investment, MSME, critical minerals
Practice MCQs 2 questions
When was the India–Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — March 2006
The PTA was signed in March 2006; the Framework Agreement in January 2005; the expanded PTA was signed in September 2016 and took effect on 16 May 2017.
Consider the following statements about the India–Chile CEPA: 1. The first round of negotiations was scheduled to be held in Santiago. 2. The expanded India–Chile PTA became effective in January 2005. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the first round was scheduled for 26–30 May 2025 in New Delhi, and the expanded PTA took effect on 16 May 2017.