Brazil Prez to begin India visit from Friday
NEW DELHI: Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro will on Friday begin a four-day visit to India, primarily as chief guest on Republic Day and also to explore ways to boost trade ties at a time both the large economies are hit by slowdowns.
On his first visit to India after assuming power, Bolsonaro will be accompanied by seven ministers, top officials and a large business delegation.
“President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be paying a visit to India from January 24-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be the chief guest at India’s 71st Republic Day Parade on January 26,” the external affairs ministry said.
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, won a landslide victory in Brazil’s presidential election in October 2018 and took the reins of the country in January last year.
“This visit is expected to further enhance and strengthen the multi-faceted ties between India
Brazil,” the ministry said.
The last presidential visit from Brazil was by President Michel Temer in October 2016 on the sidelines of the eighth BRICS summit in Goa. Modi visited Brazil in November to attend the XI BRICS Summit.
Brazilian presidents have earlier graced the Republic Day Parade in 1996 and 2004.
On Saturday, President Ram Nath Kovind will hold talks with Bolsonaro and will also host a banquet for him. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and external affairs minister S Jaishankar will also call on Bolsonaro.
On January 27, Bolsonaro will address a group of Indian and Brazilian business leaders at the India-brazil Business Forum, according to the MEA.
India-brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.
The volume of bilateral trade was US $8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included US $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and US $4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further.
“Both sides will focus on boosting trade and investment during the visit,” said an official.
Major Indian exports to Brazil include agro-chemicals, synthetic yarns, auto components and parts, pharmaceuticals and petroleum products. Brazilian exports to India include crude oil, gold, vegetable oil, sugar and bulk mineral and ores.