Brazil-India

Brazil has signed a bilateral air services agreement with India which might pave way for direct flights between the two countries and the first direct air link with Latin America in near future. The agreement was signed by the Foreign Minister of Brazil, Mr. Antonio Patriota during his visit to New Delhi for the IBSA ministerial meeting. This is seen as an important step since Brazil is a manufacturer and exporter of passenger and military aircraft. The Chiefs of Indian Air Force and Naval Staff have visited Brazil in past few months after the visit of the Brazilian Defence Minister in March last year to India.

Mr. Patriota led a delegation for the third India – Brazil strategic dialogue with the National Security Advisor. During his meeting with India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr. Anand Sharma, the Brazilian Minister discussed bilateral trade and investment issues.During his talks with the Indian External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna, the Brazilian Minister held comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and multilateral issues including 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 and Haiti. As current members of the UN Security Council the Ministers reiterated the commitment of both countries to work towards common objectives.

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 11 February, 2011 at the UNSC. 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.