Look forward to welcome Brazil’s Prez Lula da Silva to India: PM Modi
In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday, expressing his eagerness to welcome the Brazilian leader to India. This conversation comes at a time when both countries are facing similar challenges, particularly with regards to tariff-related tensions with the United States. The phone call between the two leaders highlights the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership and their commitment to advancing the shared interests of the Global South.
PM Modi took to Twitter to share the details of his conversation with President Lula da Silva, stating, “We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership…Our close cooperation is vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South.” This statement underscores the significance of the bilateral relationship between India and Brazil, which has been growing steadily over the years. The two countries have been working closely on various fronts, including trade, investment, defense, and culture, and have been exploring ways to deepen their cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, and innovation.
The India-Brazil Strategic Partnership was established in 2006, with the aim of promoting cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Since then, the two countries have made significant progress in strengthening their bilateral ties, with regular high-level visits and exchanges between the two nations. The partnership has also led to increased trade and investment between India and Brazil, with bilateral trade reaching $8.5 billion in 2020-21.
One of the key areas of cooperation between India and Brazil is in the field of renewable energy. Both countries have set ambitious targets for renewable energy production, and have been working together to promote the use of solar and wind energy. In 2020, India and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy, which aims to promote the development of renewable energy projects in both countries.
Another area of cooperation between India and Brazil is in the field of agriculture. Both countries are major agricultural producers, and have been working together to promote the exchange of knowledge, technology, and best practices in agriculture. In 2019, India and Brazil signed an MoU on cooperation in the field of agriculture, which aims to promote the development of agricultural research, education, and extension services in both countries.
However, despite the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, both countries are facing challenges in their trade relationships with the United States. The US has imposed tariffs on certain Indian and Brazilian products, which has affected the exports of both countries. India has been facing tariffs on products such as steel and aluminum, while Brazil has been facing tariffs on products such as soybeans and sugarcane.
In this context, the conversation between PM Modi and President Lula da Silva assumes significance, as it highlights the need for closer cooperation between India and Brazil on trade and economic issues. The two leaders are likely to discuss ways to promote trade and investment between their countries, and to explore ways to address the challenges posed by the US tariffs.
The visit of President Lula da Silva to India is expected to provide a significant boost to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss a range of issues, including trade, investment, defense, and culture, and to explore ways to deepen their cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, and innovation.
In conclusion, the conversation between PM Modi and President Lula da Silva highlights the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership and the commitment of both countries to advancing the shared interests of the Global South. The visit of President Lula da Silva to India is expected to provide a significant boost to the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and to promote closer cooperation on trade and economic issues.
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