India and Brazil have inked 15 agreements on January 25, 2020, just a day before its 71st Republic Day, in a wide range of areas and have agreed on a future action plan to boost strategic relations between the 2 countries.
The agreements were signed after the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi and President of Brazil – Jair Messias Bolsonaro held high level talks in New Delhi. Bolsonaro arrived in India on January 24, 2020. Later he graced India’s 71st Republic Day Parade as the Chief Guest. Upon arrival, he was bestowed with ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President of India – Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi.
This is Bolsonaro first visit to India. He is accompanied by his daughter – Laura Bolsonaro, daughter-in-law – Leticia Firmo, 8 ministers, 4 Members of the Brazilian Parliament and a huge business delegation.
The 15 agreements signed between the 2 nations are in the areas of oil and gas, mineral resources, traditional medicine, animal husbandry, bioenergy and trade and investment.
The action plan focussed on deeper cooperation in the areas of defence and security, trade and commerce, agriculture, civil aviation, energy, environment, health and innovation and have vowed to work together to fight the menace of terrorism.
They underlined the need for all countries to ensure that their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They pitched for the implementation of measures to combat terrorism as outlined in relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and stressed that cooperation should be guided in conformity with the principles of the U.N. Charter, international law and relevant international conventions.
Besides, they also agreed to boost investment as both the economies have been severely hit by the slowdown.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, “Your visit to India has opened a new chapter in ties between India and Brazil.”
A Joint Media Statement read, “The prime minister and the president of Brazil also reiterated the mutual interest to work closely in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in issues related to money laundering and financing of terrorism, state sponsored terrorism, etc.”
Taking it to twitter, Modi tweeted, “Apart from robust bilateral cooperation, India and Brazil are also working together at various multilateral forums. We see immense synergies on various issues including the need to uproot the menace of terrorism. India and Brazil will keep working together for a better planet.”
Apart from robust bilateral cooperation, India and Brazil are also working together at various multilateral forums. We see immense synergies on various issues including the need to uproot the menace of terrorism.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2020
India and Brazil will keep working together for a better planet. pic.twitter.com/YukXFug6zN
He also tweeted, “Today’s meeting with President @jairbolsonaro is our third in the last eight months. This reflects the topmost priority we accord to further expanding India-Brazil ties. It is gladdening that President Bolsonaro has graced our Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest.”
Today’s meeting with President @jairbolsonaro is our third in the last eight months.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2020
This reflects the topmost priority we accord to further expanding India-Brazil ties.
It is gladdening that President Bolsonaro has graced our Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. pic.twitter.com/lhObKbdgIr
He continued his message in a following tweet, which read, “Today’s talks with President @jairbolsonaro covered sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, animal husbandry and more. India and Brazil are focusing on expanding cooperation in the defence sector.”
Today’s talks with President @jairbolsonaro covered sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, animal husbandry and more.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2020
India and Brazil are focusing on expanding cooperation in the defence sector. pic.twitter.com/L03F6aREsc
Terming Brazil as a valuable partner in India’s growth, Modi said that both the countries are on the same page on various global issues.
Thanking Modi for the cooperation, Bolsonaro said that the 2 countries will strengthen established institutional mechanisms and promote coordination on bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest based on the principles of equality and trust.
India’s ties with Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, have been on an upswing since the last few years. The volume of bilateral trade was U.S. $ 8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included U.S. $ 3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and U.S. $ 4.4 million as imports by India. Major Indian exports to Brazil include agro-chemicals, synthetic yarns, auto components and parts, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. Brazilian exports to India include crude oil, gold, vegetable oil, sugar and bulk mineral and ores.
