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Security Council: Chile backs India

SANTIAGO: “India’s time has come,” Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said here on Monday at a banquet she hosted in honour of the visiting President Pratibha Patil.

While stating that India should become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Ms. Bachelet called for reforms in multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund so that the developing countries had a “louder voice.”

“We believe that we must foster international organisations that are more representative — and therefore, much more legitimate — in order to deal more efficiently and effectively with the new threats confronting the world community today and provide solid ground for good governance in the 21st Century.”

She said there was a need to strengthen coordination of the G-20, of which both Chile and India were members, “because the failure of Doha round of negotiations in the World Trade Organisation would result in protectionism.”

“Chile supports and promotes multilateralism as paramount setting for democracy and for grappling with challenges and opportunities for international society.”

By addressing the President as “Dear President Patil” in her statement to the media after their meeting and the signing of four pacts with India, Ms. Bachelet revealed the warmth that existed between the two first women Presidents of their countries.

Both the leaders struck instant rapport, which was later acknowledged by Ms. Patil with the accompanying Indian journalists: “From the moment I met her, there was instant rapport. I felt as though she was a personal friend,” Ms. Patil said.

Hailing India as “a great emerging economy,” Ms. Bachelet said Ms. Patil’s visit was a very good sign of India’s will to strengthen relationship with Latin America. It was a move towards inclusive globalisation. Both the countries had agreed to work together for global public good, security, women empowerment and in fight against terrorism and poverty.

At the banquet, Ms. Bachelet recalled the many women who had left their mark on India’s democracy. Among them were Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Indira Gandhi. She recalled Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s hailing the election of Ms. Patil as “a special moment.” She said her own and Ms. Patil’s emergence as first Presidents of their countries was a sign of social change that was sweeping across the world.

Chile wants the Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries to be taken forward to the Free Trade Agreement to give a boost to trade and investments. It has also sought cooperation in Information Technology, services and biotechnology sectors. Agriculture will be high on the agenda for the next round of talks.

Ms. Bachelet, who accepted an invitation to visit India, said bilateral agreements would be reviewed during her visit.

Implementation of the bilateral pacts India had signed with the Latin American countries was an issue that needed to be addressed.

Ms. Bachelet, a trained paediatrician, agreed with Ms. Patil’s concern for women empowerment and the girl child. Both the leaders agreed to work towards women’s empowerment. Ms. Patil thanked the Chilean President for support to India on the Security Council seat issue.

The deep warmth and friendliness Ms. Patil received in Chile was displayed at a function later when Santiago Mayor Raul Alcaino presented her the key to the city.

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