Declaración Conjunta emitida con ocasión de la visita del Ministro Antonio de Aguiar Patriota a la República de la India – Nueva Delhi, 8 de marzo del 2011 [Inglés]

1. At the invitation of Shri S. M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister of India, H. E. Antonio Patriota, Foreign Minister of Brazil visited New Delhi on 8th March 2011 for the Bilateral and the IBSA Ministerial meetings. The Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa made a joint call on Prime Minister of India on 8th March 2011. The Foreign Minister of Brazil met Shri Vyalar Ravi Minister for Indian Overseas Affairs and Civil Aviation with whom a bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed. He also met Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Anand Sharma with whom he discussed bilateral trade and investment issues and matters pertaining to WTO. Earlier, National Security Advisor and the visiting dignitary led their respective delegations for the 3rd India-Brazil strategic Dialogue on 5th March 2011.

2. The two Foreign Ministers held comprehensive discussions which covered all aspects of bilateral relations and multilateral issues such as the UNSC agenda, IBSA, BRICS, G-20, Doha Round, disarmament and non-proliferation, climate change and human rights. They also exchanged views on regional developments in Afghanistan-Pakistan, Koreas, Middle East, Haiti etc. As current members of the UN Security Council the Ministers reiterated the commitment of both countries to work towards common objectives.

3. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council through its expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories, with increased representation of developing countries in both, in order to improve its efficiency, representativeness, and legitimacy, and for it to better meet the contemporary challenges faced by the international community. The Ministers reiterated mutual support for their countries’, as well as for African permanent membership in an expanded UNSC. They recalled their meetings in New York on 11 February and reiterated their resolve to take the process of UNSC reform toward a concrete outcome during the current session of the UNGA, with a view to achieving reform at the earliest. They agreed on the interlinkages between peace, security and development, as highlighted during an open debate chaired by Brazil on February 11th, 2011, at the UNSC.

4. While acknowledging the growing importance of developing countries and their role in shaping a more balanced international order in a multipolar world, the two Foreign Ministers welcomed the convergence of positions between Brazil and India in multilateral fora as well as in groups such as IBSA and BRICS. They stressed that their concurrent presence in the Security Council during the year 2011 provides an opportunity to work closely together in order to bring their perspectives into the work of the Council and to strengthen the voice of developing countries in that forum. They reiterated the commitment of their countries to consult and coordinate their approaches and positions both in New York and in capitals on issues on the agenda of the Security Council.

5. Both the Ministers noted that the bilateral Strategic Partnership has evolved comprehensively and covered a wide gamut of areas of mutual interest. Both ministers agreed that the India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting should take place at the earliest.

6. The Ministers expressed satisfaction that bilateral trade & investment have grown significantly in recent years. Bilateral trade at $ 7.8 billion in 2010 registered a growth rate of 25% over the previous year and at this rate both sides hoped to achieve the trade target of $ 10 billion. Acknowledging the Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) as a useful platform for removing obstacles in the bilateral trade, the Ministers hoped the third meeting of the TMM would soon be held in New Delhi. The Ministers urged the CEOs from prominent companies of the two countries to meet soon in order to identify areas of cooperation. They also agreed to facilitate expeditious issue of business visa to promote greater trade and investments in each other’s countries.

7. The Ministers recognized that bilateral defense cooperation has enormous potential and expressed confidence that the Joint Defence Committee will explore development of mutually beneficial collaborative projects. The Ministers also welcomed the visit to Brazil of Indian Air Force Chief (Oct 2010), Chief of the Naval Staff (Feb 2011) and the visit to India of the Brazilian Defence Minister (Mar 2010) and Commander of the Navy (Aug 2010).

8. In the areas of Science and Technology, the Ministers directed that new projects be undertaken by apex national institutions in the two countries for development of commercially viable joint research. The Ministers emphasized that both sides should work towards harnessing the vast potential for cooperation in the field of Information Technology.

9. Recognizing that Agriculture is an important area of bilateral cooperation the Ministers noted with satisfaction the visit of Shri Sharad Pawar, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to Brazil in September 2010. They also directed ICAR and Embrapa (The Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency) to sign a new biennial action plan at an early date so that bilateral cooperation between the two organizations moves forward. The Ministers also noted the potential for cooperation in the field of ethanol.

10. Both sides recognised that Energy Security is an important component of the Strategic Partnership. The ministers reiterated the need to enhance cooperation in hydrocarbons, bio-fuels, wind energy and hydro power. They noted the growing Indian investments in hydrocarbons in Brazil and its keenness to further collaborate with Petrobras in the exploration of oil and infrastructure creation. They also emphasized the need for cooperation in the mining sector where there are ample opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. They welcomed the proposed visit of Shri Dinsha J. Patel, Minister of State for Mines (Independent Charge) to Brazil in May 2011.

11. The Ministers recognized the potential in civil nuclear cooperation between the two sides and resolved to enhance cooperation in this sector. They hoped that Chairman of the Brazilian National Nuclear Energy Commission would visit India soon.

12. The Ministers reiterated the interest of both sides in furthering cooperation in the Space sector. They expressed satisfaction at the setting up of a ground station at Cuiaba in Brazil by ISRO for reception of Resourcesat-1 signals. They welcomed the proposal of a Brazilian delegation to visit ISRO to create a Joint Working Group.

13. The Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment for cooperation in the field of education and expressed interest in extending the Educational Exchange Program beyond 2011. They welcomed the ‘in principle’ agreement of FGV for establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies in the FGV in Rio de Janeiro. The Ministers welcomed the proposal of Cultural Exchange Program between Brazil and India and express happiness at the cultural events organized by Brazil in India in the last year and at the planned Week of Indian culture in Brazil by India in May 2011. Brazilian side welcomed the proposal of opening of an Indian Culture Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil and expressed its full support for its smooth functioning.

14. The Ministers reiterated the need for enhancing cooperation in sports under the MOU signed in February 2008 between India and Brazil and welcomed the initiative to celebrate the decade of sports in Brazil. They also welcomed the proposal of sending football coaches to India for training of Indian players.

15. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the gradually increasing flow of persons between the two countries. They expressed hope for an early conclusion of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and a bilateral Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons being negotiated by both sides.

16. The Foreign Minister of Brazil thanked the Indian Foreign Minister for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit. He invited the Indian Foreign Minister to visit Brazil in the near future, which was accepted with pleasure.