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India-Brazil Joint Statement during the State Visit of President of Brazil to India (January 25-27, 2020)

January 25, 2020

  • The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, is on a State visit to India from 25-27 January 2020 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Bolsonaro is on his first State Visit to India and is the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2020 reflecting the importance attached to the relationship. President Bolsonaro is accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs; Acting Chief of Staff; Agriculture and Livestock; Mines and Energy; Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications; Chief of the Secretariat of Government; and Institutional Security Office; as well as Members of Parliament, senior officials of the Brazilian government and a large business delegation.
  • President Bolsonaro was accorded a ceremonial welcome on 25 January 2020 at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. President Bolsonaro also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, at Rajghat. President Ramnath Kovind hosted a Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called on the President of Brazil.
  • President Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Modi held restricted and delegation level talks in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
  • Prime Minister Modi fondly recalled his visit to Brasilia to attend the XI BRICS Summit in November 2019 and congratulated President Bolsonaro for successfully hosting the Summit. The leaders agreed to work closely to strengthen BRICS cooperation for the benefit and welfare of their peoples and enhance their traditional ties of friendship.

    Strengthening the Strategic Partnership

  • Both sides underscored their shared commitment to impart dynamism and strengthen the close and longstanding strategic relationship. Both leaders reiterated that India-Brazil relations are based on common values, shared democratic ideals, and a commitment to foster economic growth of the two countries.
  • With the aim to enhance and revitalize ongoing engagements and foster new areas of cooperation, the leaders adopted the Action Plan to Strengthen the Strategic Partnership between Brazil and India. The Action Plan is a comprehensive and forward looking document that outlines action in all spheres of cooperation, including (a) Political and Strategic Coordination; (b) Trade & Commerce, Investments, Agriculture, Civil Aviation and Energy; (c) Science, Technology and Innovation; Space Cooperation; Environment and Technical Cooperation; Health; (d) Defence and Security; (e) Culture and Education; and (f) Consular Issues, Social Security and Legal Cooperation.
  • Both leaders reiterated mutual support for their countries’ aspiration to permanent membership in an expanded UNSC. They reaffirmed their commitment to the reform of the United Nations (UN), particularly the Security Council (UNSC), through its expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories, with increased representation of developing countries in both, in order to improve its representativeness, effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy, and for it to better meet the contemporary challenges faced by the international community. Both leaders underscored the priority that both governments attach to reforming the UN to make it more effective and attuned to present day realities.
  • India and Brazil will continue to work closely together in the framework of G-4 in order to realize their aspirations to serve as permanent members on a reformed and expanded UNSC so as to make the world body more democratic, representative and reflective of the changed world order.
  • Prime Minister Modi thanked President Bolsonaro for reiterating Brazil’s support to India’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Both leaders underscored their shared commitments to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and reaffirmed the right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

    Broad based Defence Cooperation

  • The Leaders reiterated the importance of broad-based bilateral defence cooperation in enhancing their strategic partnership. In this context, they encouraged structured dialogue and appreciated progress made at the meeting of the Joint Defence Committee, held in Brasilia in February 2019. They noted that an event focussed on defence industries will take place on 27 January 2020, in New Delhi.
  • Recognizing the industrial expertise in the defence sector of both countries, they called upon an early convening of the first meeting of the Joint Working Commission (JWC) on Defence Industrial Cooperation and urged officials from both sides to work in the areas to be identified for cooperation by the JWC.
  • Both Leaders recognized the important contribution of both countries to United Nations peacekeeping missions. They expressed satisfaction at the regular interactions between their Armed Forces through expert-level exchanges in training, operational and conceptual areas of mutual interest and resolved to strengthen it further. They noted that the maritime exercise IBSAMAR has contributed to enhancing maritime security. They reiterated their desire to jointly collaborate in training as well as exchange of information on peace keeping operations of the United Nations. They expressed their intention to further strengthen the coordination between the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Centre and the Indian Centre for UN Peacekeeping. They also agreed to explore possible cooperation in the areas such as cyber-defence and defence systems, among others.
  • India welcomed the participation of a high-level delegation from Brazil and its defence industry in the DEFEXPO, scheduled from 5-8 February 2020 in Lucknow, India.

    Unlocking the potential in Space cooperation

  • Both leaders expressed the desire to strengthen cooperation in Space research in areas such as remote sensing, data sharing, small satellites and weather forecasting. They also noted that space agencies of India and Brazil have had fruitful interactions in the recent past and are eager to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to share expertise for mutual benefit through a Joint Working Group on Space Cooperation. Both leaders also highlighted the potential for bilateral commercial collaboration in the Space Sector.

    Combating Crime, Terrorism and Cyber Security Cooperation

  • Convinced of the need to enhance bilateral security cooperation in combating international terrorism, trans-national organized crimes and trafficking in illicit drugs and narcotics, the two leaders expressed confidence in early conclusion of the Agreement in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational crimes.
  • The leaders reaffirmed that international terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security and emphasized the need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community, with the ultimate objective of eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross border terrorism. They reaffirmed their support for the implementation of measures to combat terrorism outlined in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and stressed that international cooperation to combat terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and relevant international conventions.
  • 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. They called for early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They also called upon all countries to work towards rooting out terrorist safe heavens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels and halting cross border movement of terrorists. They underlined the need for all countries to ensure that their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They emphasized the need for stronger international partnership in countering terrorism and violent extremism, including through increased sharing of timely, actionable and complete information and intelligence. They called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in this regard and agreed to cooperate against specific terrorist threats identified by each country.
  • Mindful of the enormous potential of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) to the promotion of economic and social goals, President Jair Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of an open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling economic growth and innovation. In particular, they reaffirmed a multistakeholder approach to internet governance and their wish to deepen deliberations on the applicability of international law to cyberspace and set norms of responsible behaviour of States, in light of grave security challenges posed by a worrying increase in the malicious uses of ICTs. While highlighting their wish to increase bilateral cooperation on ICT-related issues the two leaders welcomed the establishment of a UN Open-Ended Working Group and a new edition of a Group of Governmental Experts, pursuant respectively to the Resolutions A/RES/73/27 and A/RES/73/266, as important consultative mechanisms for the promotion of responsible State behaviour in the cyberspace through agreed principles, norms and rules. They also welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the area of Cyber Security.

    Boosting Economic cooperation through Trade and Investment

  • The two leaders appreciated the strong India-Brazil economic linkages and committed to work in a result-oriented and mutually beneficial manner by injecting a renewed momentum into the broad-based economic engagement between the two countries. The leaders expressed confidence that a realistic bilateral trade target of USD 15 billion could be set for 2022 by both countries. Prime Minister Modi called upon the Brazilian industry to explore business opportunities in India in the infrastructure, food processing, biofuels and other renewable energy sources, animal husbandry and agro sectors. President Bolsonaro also called upon Indian industry to identify business opportunities, including in Brazil’s automotive, leather, oil & gas, including oil refining, Pharmaceutical, electricity and chemical sectors. The two leaders took note of the progress made by the 5th session of the India – Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism held on 24 January 2020, in New Delhi. They agreed to convene the next session of the TMM in Brazil next year.
  • Reaffirming the commitment to facilitate a conducive environment for boosting bilateral trade and investments, the leaders:

    a) Welcomed the signature of the Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty and expressed confidence in the early conclusion of the Protocol Amending the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion and of Mutual Recognition Arrangements of the respective Authorised Economic Operators Programmes.

    b) Welcomed the signature of the Social Security Agreement and hailed it as an important step to facilitate movement of professionals and businesspersons between the countries and a forward movement on improving conditions of mobility of their peoples.

    c) Welcomed the convening of the India-Brazil Business Forum scheduled on 27 January 2020 where business leaders from Brazil and India representing diverse sectors will interact with each other. They encouraged the two sides to arrange regular business interactions to realize the full potential of the complementarities of their economies.

  • Both leaders emphasized World Trade Organization as a central element in supporting growth in developing countries. Recognizing the complementary nature of trade and investment, they also agreed that established bilateral mechanisms could be suitably utilized to stimulate greater cooperation.

    India-MERCOSUR

  • India and Brazil underscored the importance of diversification of trade between the two countries and reiterated the interest of both countries in the expansion of India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement towards a more comprehensive and encompassing agreement.

    Towards a more robust partnership in Oil & Gas, Bioenergy and other Renewable Energy Sources

  • Both countries have an important role to play in one another´s energy security. Oil and oil products have been the main item of the bilateral trade both ways. There is significant potential for further strengthening the energy partnership taking into account that India is one of the leading countries in global oil demand growth and that Brazil is expected to sharply increase its oil production in the next decade, becoming one of the top exporters of the commodity thus contributing to global energy security. The leaders committed, therefore, to explore ways of deepening bilateral relations in the energy field.
  • Recognizing that biofuels can play a strategic role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and diversifying our energy mix, and the importance of promoting renewable energies in energy security and efficiency, the leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU on Bioenergy Cooperation and the MoU on Cooperation in the field of Oil & Natural Gas. They also noted the signing of the MOU between R & D Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Centro Nacional de PesquisaemEnergia e Materiais – CNPEM of Brazil for establishing a nodal agency in India to carry out research in bioenergy. The leaders called on the businesses from both countries to leverage their expertise and invest in the bioenergy sector of Brazil and India. The two sides acknowledged the importance of bilateral cooperation in the bioenergy sector in achieving the economic, energy and environmental goals of India and Brazil. To that effect, they noted the great potential for increased ethanol production and uptake in India´s fuel mix and looked forward to further collaboration between the two countries in this matter, including through the "Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks” conference to be held in Delhi in February 2020.
  • Both sides will encourage their companies to explore ways for promoting investments and cooperation in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas, through technical cooperation, sharing of experience and technical know-how, technology transfer, including through applied research and joint development activities, in oil & gas projects in India, Brazil and also in joint projects in third countries. It was noted that the Brazilian oil & gas sector offers investment opportunities to Indian companies due to the liberalization of public policies as well as the divestment programme of Petrobras in gas transport and distribution and oil refining. Further, it was noted that Indian oil & gas sector offers investment opportunities to Brazilian companies in exploration and licensing of upcoming fields, operationalization of already discovered fields and related projects.
  • Recognizing the importance of renewable energy in their energy mix and its contribution to sustainable development and energy security, both countries agreed to promote reciprocal investments in order to meet their respective renewable energy targets and conveyed their commitment to strengthen the International Solar Alliance and the Biofuture Platform. Welcoming the signature of International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement, India looked forward to Brazil’s ratification of the instrument.

    Mining

  • Both sides expressed their desire to promote bilateral cooperation in development of geological knowledge, research and exploration in mineral resources. They agreed that mining activities and investments offered a significant potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation in this sector. They noted the conclusion of an MOU on cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral resources between the Geological Survey of India and the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM).

    Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing

  • Both leaders expressed interest in enhancing cooperation for mutually beneficial partnerships in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry and allied sectors. They recognized the importance of regular convening of the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture to discuss specific proposals, particularly at the technical level, take forward the cooperation in Agriculture, including sharing of best practices in Crop and Livestock health, and achieve greater synergy.
  • They underscored the importance of deepening cooperation in agriculture research between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). Noting the agreed areas of coconut, milk, buffalo, sugarcane and pulses for joint research activities under the MoU for Cooperation in Agricultural Research signed in 2016, the leaders called for an early conclusion of the work plan on Agriculture research.
  • Both leaders noted with satisfaction the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Both leaders expressed interest in the area of Cattle Genomics and the expeditious implementation of the training programme for Indian professionals in assisted reproductive technology IVF (in-vitro fertilization) between Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India and EMBRAPA of Brazil. They also welcomed the plans to establish a Centre of Excellence in Cattle Genomics at Kalsi, Uttarakhand in India in collaboration with a Brazilian institute.
  • The leaders encouraged cooperation in setting up of cold chains and terminal markets for fruits, vegetables and other perishables with state of art facilities in India with Brazilian collaboration.
  • Both leaders welcomed the opening of the Indian market for sesame from Brazil and the opening of the Brazilian market for maize seeds from India. Both parties agreed to continue to work towards expeditious market access in avocado, citrus and ipe wood from Brazil, and pearl millet, sorghum, rape seed and cotton from India.
  • The leaders recognized that risk assessment is the scientific standard recommended by Three Sisters (OIE, IPPC, CODEX). Not following these standard setting bodies weakens credibility, increases the probability of mistakes that compromise food safety and food security, hinders regulatory harmonization and risks communication. For those reasons, science must be the foundation of measures: these should be based on the principle of sound scientific evidence, on risk assessment, and not on the hazard approach. Establishing a risk-based approach would set the highest regulatory measure for the protection of public health and the environment, while ensuring that global trade is not unnecessarily disrupted.

    Science, Technology and Innovation

  • Noting their long standing S&T cooperation with satisfaction, the leaders agreed that as two large emerging economies India and Brazil could work together in areas of emerging technologies through sharing of best practices and undertaking joint research in areas of mutual interest as identified in the Programme of Cooperation in S&T. They welcomed the signing of the Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology (2020-2023). They noted with satisfaction that the Joint Commission on S&T has been meeting regularly.
  • Both leaders welcomed the announcement of the First edition of the India-Brazil Agritech Cross-incubation programme in order to encourage the exchange of innovative startups and the implementation of new technologies in the agricultural sector.
  • Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Bolsonaro on the opening of the new Brazilian Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station earlier this month and both Leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent talks between the Brazilian Antarctic Program and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India with a view of cooperating in the field of Antarctic research, including exchange of scientists between the Brazilian and the Indian Antarctic stations.
  • The leaders recognized the importance of increasing the resilience of infrastructures, both in urban and rural contexts, and of adopting comprehensive approaches to protect lives and livelihoods and to reduce disaster related economic losses. Brazil welcomed India’s efforts to launch the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) partnership.

    Health and Traditional Medicine

  • The leaders agreed that the health sector also presented a significant potential for further cooperation. In this context, they welcomed the conclusion of the MoU on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. They highlighted the importance of promoting exchange of information and cooperation in areas related to health regulation, enabling access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical products.
  • PM Narendra Modi appreciated the initiatives taken by Brazil to promote Yoga and Ayurveda in Brazil. The leaders welcomed the conclusion of the MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.

    Early Childhood

  • Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing approximation in exchanging experiences and technical knowledge for the improvement of public policies in the area of early childhood and welcomed the conclusion of a MoU to strengthen collaboration in this field between India and Brazil.

    Connectivity

  • The Leaders acknowledged the important role that connectivity plays in promoting economic growth and people-to-people contacts in the 21st century. Recalling the Air Services Agreement signed in 2011 between India and Brazil, both leaders reaffirmed the importance of accomplishing direct air connectivity between the two countries. Similarly, both leaders also stressed the need to make the shipping lines economical and efficient in order to reduce cost and time of shipment of goods between India and Brazil.

    People-to-People Exchanges, Visa and other Consular Issues

  • Emphasising the centrality of people in bilateral relations between India and Brazil, the two leaders encouraged people-to-people exchanges through cooperation and exchanges in the fields of sports, youth, films, culture, education and tourism.
  • The leaders underlined that it is important to both sides to encourage tourism, facilitate business ties and enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Brazil will implement mechanisms to facilitate visa-free entry of Indian tourists and short-term business travellers.
  • Both leaders noted with satisfaction the signature of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and encouraged the early finalization of the Agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters.

    Culture

  • Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing cultural exchanges between India and Brazil and welcomed the signing of the Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2020-24, which aims to further promote these bilateral exchanges. They instructed officials on both sides to start interinstitutional cooperation for the implementation of activities associated to each country’s cultural calendar. The leaders also requested their officials to consider a Programme for the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and Brazil in 2023 in a befitting manner.
  • Recognizing that public audiovisual media and contents constitute an important tool to promote mutual understanding and friendship, the Leaders encouraged both sides to take forward cooperation in this area under the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production of 2007 and the Memorandum of Understanding between Prasar Bharati and EmpresaBrasil de Comunicação (EBC), signed by these broadcast corporations in 2016.
  • Both leaders welcomed new actions taken to further promote the teaching of Hindi in Brazil and Brazilian Portuguese in India and evaluate language proficiency, so as to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, including the admission of Indians in Brazil and Brazilians in India to graduate and post-graduate studies.
  • The talks were held in an atmosphere of warmth and trust with the objective of further strengthening the friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. President Bolsonaro thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government and people of India for the special honour extended to him and the people of Federative Republic of Brazil on the occasion of India's 71st Republic Day celebrations and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
New Delhi
January 25, 2020

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