New Delhi, 26 September (H.S.): Addressing members of the Indian community in Santiago, the capital of Chile, Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said that although India and Chile are located at opposite ends of the world, the two countries share deep connections through their democratic values and common human sentiments. He said the real strength of India-Chile relations lies not merely in government agreements, but in the trust, warmth and friendship that have developed between the people of the two countries.

This information was provided in a statement issued on Saturday. According to the statement, India’s Ambassador to Chile Abhilasha Joshi hosted a special reception in honour of Vijender Gupta at the Ambassador’s Residence at the Embassy of India in Santiago.

Addressing the Indian community, Vijender Gupta said he had brought greetings from the people of Delhi and the Delhi Legislative Assembly for the Indian community residing in Chile. Describing the Delhi Legislative Assembly as an important centre of India’s ancient legislative tradition, he said the building in which the Delhi Assembly functions today contains an important chapter in the history of Indian democracy. The Central Legislative Assembly had functioned on the premises more than a century ago, and several important debates connected with India’s freedom movement and the development of democratic consciousness had taken shape there.

The Assembly Speaker highlighted the historical ties between India and Chile and said both countries are known for their ancient civilisations, struggles for independence and commitment to democratic values. Today, the two countries are expanding cooperation across several sectors, including trade, minerals and energy, agriculture, Ayurveda, yoga, education and technology.

Vijender Gupta praised the role of the Indian community in Chile and said every Indian living there represents India through his or her conduct and work. Whenever a Chilean citizen meets an Indian doctor, engineer, businessperson, teacher or student, an image of India is formed in that person’s mind. He said the Indian community had made an important contribution to creating a positive image of India in Chile through its hard work, integrity, warmth and conduct.

Expressing gratitude to the Indian community, the Assembly Speaker said Indians living in Chile had played a significant role in fostering respect and goodwill towards India. The Indian community, he said, is not merely a group of people connected to India but a living bridge between the two countries.

Gupta said India never forgets its overseas Indian community. Over the past several years, India has made significant progress in several areas, including infrastructure, digital payments, space, manufacturing and technology. He said Indians living abroad have also played an important role in this transformative journey.

Inviting members of the Indian community to visit the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta said New Delhi is not merely the capital of India but a shared city shaped by people from different regions and cultures. He urged Indians living in Chile to visit the Delhi Assembly whenever they travel to India and to bring their children along so that they can witness India’s democratic traditions and legislative heritage firsthand.

Delivering a special message to young Indians, Vijender Gupta said those who were born or brought up in Chile should make an effort to remain connected with the language of their grandparents and families, as well as with India’s history, festivals and philosophy.

He said they did not need to choose between either of their identities. Instead, they had the privilege of being connected to two great cultures at the same time. A person connected to two great civilisations, he said, becomes richer through the depth and diversity of their heritage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar