New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March congratulated Jose Antonio Kast Rist on taking oath as the President of Chile, expressing hope to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Modi extended best wishes on social media platform X, highlighting India’s interest in deepening trade, technology, and energy collaboration.

Kast was sworn in during a ceremony at the National Congress building in Valparaíso, with outgoing President Gabriel Boric handing over the Piocha de O’Higgins, a traditional emblem of presidential authority. Several international leaders attended, including Spain’s King Felipe VI and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

A lawyer of German descent, Kast has long been active in Chile’s right-wing politics, serving in municipal and congressional roles before establishing the Republican Party in 2019. After unsuccessful presidential bids in 2017 and 2021, he defeated Jeannette Jara in a runoff last December to assume the presidency.