President Michelle promises to strengthen Chile, India partnership

Chennai, Mar 20 (ANI): Chilean President Michelle Bachelet today said both India and Chile are commemorating 60 years of friendship and now there is a need to strengthen and deepen the partnership.

Interacting with leaders of the I.T industry at a breakfast meeting organised by NASSCOM here, Michelle said Chile is an open economy with a great investment potential.

She also invited corporate leaders from the Indian Information technology and Bio-Tech Industry to take advantage of the friendly investment environment and invest in the country.

Lauding the gigantic steps made by India in the IT Sector in the last two decades, Bachelet said her government will study the Indian business model and steps will be taken to improve the linkages between university and industry.

Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage contribution towards mutual collaboration for growth and development of IT sectors in both the countries was signed between the NASSCOM and the Association of Information Technology companies, chile.

Later, Bachelet met scientists of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. She also inaugurated Chile-India cultural exhibition.

She will be conferred with an honorary doctorate at a Madras University function later this evening.

Bachelet, who is on a five-day official visit to the country, had met President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

India and Chile also signed four agreements in the areas of space, renewable energy, education and mineral resources to strengthen their bilateral ties further.

The agreement on space is for exploration and utilization of outer-space for peaceful purposes.

An agreement on gender equality between both countries is also at an advance stage of negotiation. Both sides agreed to pursue cooperation in the Antarctica as well. Both countries also expressed an interest in strengthening cooperation in the areas of IT and biotechnology.

She is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Agriculture and Women Empowerment and a business delegation. She will also visit Agra. (ANI)