Chennai, Sep 22: The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Chile in Chennai celebrated the 216th anniversary of Chile’s Independence at the ITC Grand Chola, Chennai.
The reception was addressed by H.E. Mr Juan Angulo, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to India, and hosted by Mrs Sunita Shahaney, Honorary Consul of Chile in Chennai.
The celebration brought together representatives of government, the diplomatic and consular corps, business and industry, academia, culture and the media, along with friends of Chile from Chennai and across southern India.
In his address, Ambassador Angulo highlighted the steadily expanding relationship between Chile and India. He spoke about opportunities for greater cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals, renewable energy, technology, agriculture, food products, pharmaceuticals, education, science and cultural exchange.
Bilateral trade between Chile and India exceeded US$5.6 billion in 2025, reflecting the growing importance of the partnership. The two countries are also working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement intended to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Tamil Nadu’s strengths in automobiles, engineering, information technology, healthcare, renewable energy, manufacturing, ports and logistics offer significant opportunities for collaboration with Chilean businesses and institutions.
A special part of the evening recognised Mrs Sunita Shahaney’s twenty-seven years of distinguished service as Honorary Consul of Chile in Chennai. Appointed on 28 April 1999, Mrs Shahaney has worked with seven Chilean Ambassadors and has played an important role in strengthening Chile’s engagement with southern India.
Her contributions have included supporting high-level diplomatic and parliamentary visits, promoting bilateral business connections, organising Chilean National Day celebrations and presenting Chilean cinema, wines, fruits and culture to audiences in Chennai.
Among the notable milestones of her tenure was the State Visit of President Michelle Bachelet to Chennai in March 2009. Mrs Shahaney helped make the case for including Chennai in the President’s itinerary and spearheaded several months of preparation for the visit.
She has also supported visits by Chilean parliamentarians, trade officials, business delegations and women entrepreneurs; organised Chilean film programmes in association with the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation; and welcomed representatives of GRULAC—the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries—to Chennai.
Paying tribute to Mrs Shahaney, Ambassador Angulo acknowledged her loyalty, warmth and sustained commitment to Chile. He described her as a trusted bridge between Chile, Chennai and southern India whose work has strengthened diplomatic, commercial, cultural and people-to-people relations.
Responding to the Ambassador’s tribute, Mrs Shahaney said:
“It has been my great honour and privilege to serve as the Honorary Consul of Chile in Chennai for the past twenty-seven years. Chile will always hold a very special place in my heart. I remain committed to strengthening the bonds between Chile and India and to bringing the people of our two countries even closer.”
Mrs Shahaney thanked the Government of Chile, the Embassy, the Ambassadors with whom she has served, her family, colleagues and the government, business and cultural communities of Chennai for their support throughout her tenure.
The evening concluded with a celebration of Chilean culture and hospitality and a reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Chile and India.