Chile

Why in News?

India is seeking to deepen economic engagement with Chile, including negotiations to upgrade the India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and cooperation involving critical minerals.

Geography

• Capital: Santiago
• Western South America
• Long, narrow country along the Pacific coast.
• Bordered by:
  • Peru — north
  • Bolivia — northeast
  • Argentina — east
  • Pacific Ocean — west

Important Physical Features

• Andes Mountains along eastern border
• Atacama Desert in northern Chile
• One of the driest non-polar deserts in the world.

Economic Importance

Chile is a major producer of:

• Copper
• Lithium

Lithium and copper are important for:

• Electric vehicles
• Batteries
• Renewable energy
• Electrical infrastructure

Current Strategic Importance

Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru signed a declaration to strengthen cooperation in strategic minerals, particularly copper and lithium.

Prelims Pointer: Chile → Copper + Lithium + Atacama Desert + Andes.