Brazil 'open minded' on support to Indo-US N-deal

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 13: Brazil today said it had an open mind on its support to the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear agreemeent in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), of which it (Brazil) is a member, while both countries reaffirmed commitment to the G-4 initiative for UN Security Council reforms.

Brazilian Minister of External Relations Celso Amorim, who concludes his three-day official visit to India today, and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma held discussions on a wide spectrum of bilateral relations, including cooperation in various areas.

Later addressing a joint press conference, the two Ministers reaffirrmed commitment to the G-4 (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan) initiative for UN Security Council reforms and said they were also having consultations with the African Union (AU).

''G-4 has not lost momentum...I see the process (of UN reforms) advancing. The process in New York is coming nearer to a negotiating phase. We are also mindful of Africa...'' the Brazilian Foreign Minister said while admitting that it was not easy and could not be done ''in a day.'' Mr Sharma said both countries were ''steadfast and committed'' to the G-4 initiative and were in complete agreement of the steps that needed to be taken for making the UNSC reflect contemporary realities.

He also said they were enganging Africa and hoped that the AU would be able to come to some conclusion.

He, however, admitted the G-4 had to be given the required strength.

To a question on support to the Indo-US nuclear deal in the NSG, the Brazilian Minister said ''we are open minded'' and Brazil was waiting for the safeguards agreement and would see how it went.

Brazil would be sending a team of nuclear experts to India for discussions on the subject.

Besides, the two countries were cooperating in science and technology which priovided an umbrella for such talks.

A Joint Communique issued after the meeting said the two countries recognised the over-arching potentiality of Indo- Brazil relations covering various areas including science and technology, culture, IT, tourism, agriculture among others. Both sides emphasised the importance of coordination in international trade negotiations, particularly WTO, to successfully complete the Doha Round to strengthen the multi-lateral trading system and reiterated commitment to the G-20.

The Brazilian Minister, who had arrived here on April 10 on a three-day official visit, heading a high-level delegation, co-Chaired the Third Meeting of the Indo-Brazil Joint Commission, along with Mr Sharma.

The Joint Commission reviewed cooperation in various sectors such as agriculture, science and technology, defence, energy, health, tourism, culture and infrastructure.

The last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in Brasilia in February, 2006.

Mr Celso Amorim called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.

In 2006, India's exports were 1.47 billion dollars and imports 937 million US dollars. Indian companies have started investment and joint ventures in Brazil in the IT, pharmaceuticals, energy, agri-business and mining sectors.

ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL) has acquired an offshore oil bloc for 420 million dollars. Brazilian companies are also pursuing opportunities in India in areas such as petroleum, mining, automobiles and aviation.

India and Brazil, along with South Africa, are partners in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum and work closely in G-4 for UN Security Council reforms and in G-20 on WTO issues.

During the hour-long discussions, the two Ministers re-affirmed commitment to the G-4 initiative and decided to closely coordinate for UNSC expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. Stressing the importance of the IBSA Forum, the two Ministers said they looked forward to the Fourth Meeting of the Trilateral Ministerial Commisssion to be held here as well as the Second IBSA Summit in South Africa.

They welcomed the decision to establish the Joint Defence Committee and to nominate Military Attaches' in both the countries to establish a direct channel of dialogue between Indian and Brazilian military authorities and strengthen Indo-Brazilian Strategic Dialogue.

They agreed to take bilateral trade to 10 Billion US dollars by 2010 and emphasised the importance of creating effective mechanisms to diversify exports, promote investments and increase exchange of trade delegations.

The two sides agreed to widen the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosul and India and reaffirmed willingness to participate in discussions leading to trilateral negotiations between Mercosul, India and SACU.

They also welcomed the launch of the Bio-Fuels Forum while the Brazilian Minister renewed his government's commitment to intensify exchange of information on the Brazilian Bi-Fuel Programme.

The Ministers said the two countries would work together to set up an international market for ethanol fuel to decrease international dependence on fossil fuels.

UNI

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