India, Chile to sign four pacts during Patil visit

SANTIAGO: India and Chile will sign agreements on air services, sports, science and technology as well on cooperation in Antarctica during President Pratibha Patil´s visit beginning Monday.
 
Patil, who has already visited Brazil and Mexico as a part of her 12-day Latin American tour, will meet Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Monday.
 
According to officials, both countries will sign a pact on civil aviation under which there would be code sharing between Chilean Airlines LAN and an Indian carrier - either the state owned Air India or any private services.
 
The pact on Antarctica will see more interaction between the two sides.

"We already have a regular expedition team going there frequently and also a permanent station," an official said.

India and Chile along with 44 other countries are signatories to the historic Antarctic Treaty that set aside the land on the continent as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and banned military activity on that continent.
 
The pact on sports would help New Delhi know about new mechanisms and scientific training methods. Under the agreement, India is expected to get expertise for training its football team from Chile, officials accompanying the president on her trip said.
 
Both countries would also sign a pact on cooperation on science and technology.
 
Chile was the first country in South America that signed a trade agreement with India in 1956. Although the relations soured during the regime of military ruler Augusto Pinochet, trade ties improved after former president Ricardo Lagos´ visit to India in 2005.
 
Chilean-Indian bilateral trade exceeded $2.4 billion in 2007, 38.8 percent higher than the previous year, according to official statistics.  During the Lagos visit, both countries concluded a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
 
The main obstacle to expansion of trade between the countries has so far been the distance and lack of direct shipping.  Indian exports destined for South American countries are at present trans-shipped via Singapore/Hong Kong or Europe due to the absence of direct shipping links resulting in high freight costs and longer voyages.
 
India is also pushing its private companies to have shipping lines with Chile to promote bilateral ties.
 
A delegation of business leaders from India's auto, information technology, pharmaceutical and steel industries are accompanying Patil on her first visit abroad since being elected to office in July.