PM says leaving his heart behind in Brazil

Brasilia, Sep 13: Heaping fulsome praise on Brazil and its President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he was leaving a part of his heart behind in the country.

Dr Singh, who is on his first-ever visit to Brazil, had said yesterday that he had always been fascinated by the Latin American country.

At a joint appearance before the press after their summit-level talks today, Dr Singh said, "For me, this visit is a voyage of discovery, to explore in all sincerity the immense scope for expanding areas of cooperation between Brazil and India." "In President Lula, we have a brother and a friend," he said.

"We admire the leadership that he has provided to the developing world as a whole. In him, we have a world statesman," Dr Singh said.

He said it was a matter of honour and privilege for him to work closely with President Lula in bringing the two countries closer together.

''We have begun well. But we have a long journey ahead of us, and we are confident of travelling that distance together.'' ''I have come to Brazil for the first time, but I am leaving behind a part of my heart. I wish him all success in the noble task of building a new Brazil which will be a source of mighty strength for all developing countries,'' Dr Singh said.

''We must endeavour and we shall be seeking to build a new international order which is both more equitable and more participatory. In that struggle, it is a great source of strength to us to have leaders of the eminence of President Lula.

''I thank you Mr President for what you are,'' Dr Singh added, to loud applause.

UNI

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