New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to Jose Antonio Kast Rist on his inauguration as the President of Chile and expressed optimism about enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Using the social media platform X, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to the newly elected Chilean leader, emphasizing India’s eagerness to foster deeper collaboration with Chile.

“My warmest congratulations to Jose Antonio Kast Rist on taking office as Chile's President. I am eager to collaborate closely with him to further enhance the friendly ties between India and Chile, focusing on expanding our cooperation in trade, technology, and energy. Wishing him a successful term,” the Prime Minister remarked.

Jose Antonio Kast was officially sworn in as Chile’s new president on Wednesday during a formal event at the National Congress building located in the coastal city of Valparaíso. The 60-year-old leader took office in the Hall of Honour before senior officials and international dignitaries.

The outgoing President Gabriel Boric was present at the ceremony, where he transferred the Piocha de O’Higgins, a traditional emblem signifying the authority of the Chilean presidency, to his successor.

Post-ceremony, Kast welcomed foreign delegations at a luncheon held at the Cerro Castillo Presidential Palace in Vina del Mar, a customary tradition linked to Chile’s presidential inauguration.

Numerous notable international leaders attended the inauguration, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, Honduras’ President Nasry Asfura, Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves, Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena, and Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi, along with diplomats from various nations.

Kast, a qualified lawyer with German ancestry, has been a prominent figure in Chile’s right-wing politics. His political career commenced while pursuing law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he became a member of the Gremial Movement established by Jaime Guzmán.

He spent almost two decades with the right-wing Independent Democratic Union (UDI) party, serving as a municipal council member and later as a member of Congress from 2002 to 2018.

In 2019, Kast founded the Republican Party, advocating for a more robust conservative political agenda. Known for his firm stance on security, opposition to immigration, and conservative social positions, Kast has frequently been at the center of political discussions in Chile.

After unsuccessful presidential bids in 2017 and 2021, Kast claimed victory in his third attempt, defeating left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara in a runoff election held last December.