Chile expressed keenness to open a Consulate General in

Mumbai to enable Indian businessmen easier access for visas. Other developments were setting up of bilateral India-Chile Scientific Forum to foster joint research in select areas including tele-medicine, e-governance, tele-education, agriculture, astronomy, glaciology, oceanography, climate change, information technology and renewable energy. The possibility of a VVIP visit to India later during the year was also discussed, officials said. Indian companies including TCS, Godrej, Polaris, Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Wipro, Havell Sylvania, Ashok Leyland, Suzlon, Evalueserve, Oracle Financial Services either have their regional Headquarters or their presence in Chile. Other Indian companies are showing keen interest to take advantage of Chile's unique position to expand their operations in the LAC region, officials said. A Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement [DTAA] between the two countries is also expected to be signed shortly. In view of the profound interest in Chile for Indian philosophy and Indian culture, opening up of an Indian Cultural Centre in Santiago would be explored, an official said. During the visit, Khurshid also laid the Foundation Stone for establishing Plaza de la India in Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost inhabited cities anywhere in the world. Many regional authorities participated in this ceremony and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, measuring 6 feet 6 inches in Dandi pose and sculpted by Anil R Sutar, was also displayed. Punta Arenas has a significant presence of Indian business people with the first Indians who arrived in Chile more than 100 years ago having settled here.