New Delhi - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet began a five-day visit to India Monday to strengthen trade and political ties, officials said.

Bachelet was scheduled to be the chief guest at a state banquet to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Chile.

"President Bachelet's main official engagements will be on Tuesday when she will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A number of agreements will be signed after the discussions," said Claudia Aravenna, a senior diplomat from the Chilean Embassy in Delhi.

Pacts in areas ranging from education, information technology, trade and investment to geology, renewable energy and use of space for peaceful purposes are expected to be signed after the talks.

Bachelet will also meet Indian President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and ruling United Progressive Alliance chairwoman Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday.

Bachelet, who became the first woman president of Chile three years ago, planned to also visit India's financial capital Mumbai and southern Chennai metropolis.

She was accompanied by several business leaders who planned to participate in a business summit Tuesday.

Bilateral trade between India and Chile expanded from 586.65 million dollars in 2006 to 2.1 billion dollars in 2008. (dpa)