Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated José Antonio Kast after he assumed office as the President of Chile, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations and expanding cooperation in several key sectors.

In a message shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Modi extended his best wishes to the newly sworn-in leader and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations. The Prime Minister said he looked forward to working closely with Kast to further enhance the warm and friendly partnership between India and Chile, particularly in areas such as trade, technology and energy.

Kast was sworn in as Chile’s new president during a formal ceremony at the National Congress of Chile in Valparaíso on Wednesday. The 60-year-old leader officially assumed office in the Hall of Honour in the presence of senior government officials, lawmakers and international dignitaries. During the ceremony, outgoing President Gabriel Boric handed over the Piocha de O’Higgins, a historic emblem symbolising the authority of the Chilean presidency.

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Following the inauguration, Kast hosted foreign delegations at a luncheon at the Cerro Castillo Presidential Palace in nearby Viña del Mar, a customary event associated with Chilean presidential transitions. The ceremony was attended by several international leaders, including Javier Milei of Argentina and Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica, along with other dignitaries and diplomats from across the world.

A lawyer by profession, Kast has long been a prominent figure in Chile’s conservative political landscape. He began his political career while studying law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and later spent nearly two decades with the Independent Democratic Union party, serving as a municipal council member and as a member of Congress from 2002 to 2018.

In 2019, Kast founded the Republican Party of Chile, promoting a stronger conservative agenda that emphasises security, stricter immigration policies and traditional social values. After unsuccessful presidential bids in 2017 and 2021, Kast secured victory in his third attempt by defeating left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara in a runoff election held in December, marking a significant shift in Chile’s political landscape.

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