Chilean President in Chennai on two-day visit

Chennai, Mar 20 (ANI): Chilean President Michelle Bachelet arrived in Chennai on a two-day visit last evening.

The visiting dignitary had a meeting with State Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, who hosted a dinner in her honour.

During her visit, Bachelet will meet scientists of the M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation, besides interacting with IT entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.

She is also scheduled to inaugurate an Indo-Chile cultural exhibition.

Later, she will be conferred with an honorary doctorate at a Madras University function.

Bachelet, who is on a five-day official visit to the country, had met President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

India and Chile also signed four agreements in the areas of space, renewable energy, education and mineral resources to strengthen their bilateral ties further.

The agreement on space is for exploration and utilization of outer-space for peaceful purposes.

An agreement on gender equality between both countries is also at an advance stage of negotiation. Both sides agreed to pursue cooperation in the Antarctica as well. Both countries also expressed an interest in strengthening cooperation in the areas of IT and biotechnology.

She is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Agriculture and Women Empowerment and a business delegation.

Bachelet will also visit Agra and Chennai. (ANI)