Brazil Prepares to Take the Helm of G20 Presidency in the Coming Year
- Prime Minister Modi Holds Fruitful Meeting with Brazilian President Lula at G20 Summit
- India and Brazil Solidify Bilateral Ties with Joint Statement at G20 Summit
TFP Bureau,New Delhi; Sep 10, 2023: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi engaged in a significant diplomatic rendezvous today as he met with H.E. Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the esteemed President of Brazil, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit hosted in the capital city.
In a warm exchange, President Lula conveyed his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Modi for the remarkable success of India’s G20 Presidency. The Indian Premier, in return, extended his best wishes for Brazil’s forthcoming G20 Presidency in the upcoming year, reaffirming India’s unwavering support in the endeavor.
The meeting bore witness to substantive discussions regarding the augmentation of the enduring India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. Key focal points included the exploration of collaboration avenues in burgeoning sectors such as bio-fuels, pharmaceuticals, agro-based industries, as well as the dynamic fields of space and aviation.
As the dialogue between the two nations culminated, a joint statement was jointly released, underscoring the mutual commitment of both leaders to further fortify the diplomatic and economic bonds between India and Brazil.
This diplomatic interlude signifies not only the strengthening of bilateral relations but also the convergence of strategic interests between two major global players. The successful exchange serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of India and Brazil to foster closer ties and exploit their collective potential for the betterment of their peoples and the global community.
India and Brazil Solidify Bilateral Ties with Joint Statement:
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil convened to discuss an array of critical issues and celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries.
Both leaders underscored the resilience and growth of the Brazil-India Strategic Partnership, anchored in shared values and aspirations for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The Joint Statement issued reflects their commitment to fortify this bond and sustain their influential roles in global affairs.
Security Council reform was a pivotal topic of discussion. Both leaders emphasized the imperative of a comprehensive Security Council overhaul, including expanded representation for developing nations. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for permanent membership for both Brazil and India in an expanded UNSC. The leaders also agreed to collaborate closely within the G-4 and the L.69 frameworks while holding regular bilateral coordination meetings on Security Council Reform. Expressing disappointment over the stagnant progress in Inter-Governmental Negotiations, they advocated for a result-oriented process with fixed timelines.
President Lula announced Brazil’s backing of India’s candidacy for a non-permanent UNSC seat in the 2028-2029 term, a gesture warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Modi.
The leaders acknowledged the pressing need for an equitable energy transition, highlighting the pivotal role of biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles in decarbonizing the transport sector, especially in developing nations. They lauded bilateral initiatives in bioenergy and celebrated the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance during India’s G20 presidency, of which both nations are founding members.
Climate change took center stage, with both leaders recognizing it as one of the paramount challenges of our era. They committed to broadening and deepening their cooperation on climate issues, strengthening global governance under UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. The leaders vowed to ensure that the UNFCCC multilateral process from COP28 to COP30 aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement and responds to the urgency outlined in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.
India welcomed Brazil’s presidency of BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) and expressed full support for Brazil’s prospective presidency of COP30 in 2025. The leaders also pledged to enhance joint projects with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in third countries.
Both countries, major food producers, committed to enhancing cooperation in sustainable agriculture and rural development. They urged the international community to ensure open, unimpeded, and reliable food supply chains, free from unilateral restrictions and protectionist measures, in line with multilateral trade rules.
Economic ties were a significant focus, with both leaders recognizing the untapped potential for increased trade and investment between their nations, including industrial partnerships. They applauded the growing trade between India and Mercosur and pledged to expand the India-Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement.
The leaders also celebrated the establishment of the India-Brazil Business Forum as a dedicated platform for private sector collaboration.
In the realm of defense cooperation, both leaders noted increased collaboration, including participation in military exercises and the exchange of high-level defense delegations. They encouraged defense industries from both sides to explore new avenues for collaboration and co-production of advanced defense products.
The leaders highlighted the entry into force of the India-Brazil Social Security Agreement, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
President Lula praised India’s achievements in space exploration, including the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south polar region and the launch of India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1.
The 20th anniversary of the IBSA Forum was also celebrated, with both leaders committing to enhance dialogues among IBSA partners. They reaffirmed the strategic significance of IBSA in advancing the interests of the Global South on the global stage.
Regarding the recent BRICS Summit, both leaders welcomed the support for UN Security Council reform and invitations to six countries to join BRICS as full members.
President Lula conveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister Modi for India’s successful G20 presidency and expressed Brazil’s commitment to collaborating closely with India during its G20 tenure, commencing in December 2023. Both leaders applauded the increasing influence of the Global South in world governance, exemplified by the formation of a G20 troika comprising the three IBSA countries during Brazil’s presidency.
Prime Minister’s remarks at the closing ceremony of G20 summit (English translation):
Friends, We have complete faith in the Troika spirit. We pledge our unwavering support to Brazil and firmly believe that, during their leadership, the G-20 will further advance our common objectives.
I congratulate President of Brazil and my friend, Lula da Silva.
With that, I pass on the presidency gavel to him.
I invite President Lula to share his thoughts on this occasion.
President Lula’s remarks: …
Your Highnesses,
Excellencies,
As you are aware, India holds the G-20 Presidency till November. There are still two and a half months left.
In these two days, all of you have put forth many things, given suggestions, made many proposals.
It is our responsibility to once again look at the suggestions that have come forward, to see how thier progress can be accelerated.
I propose that we hold another virtual session of the G-20 Summit at the end of November.
In that session we can review the topics decided during this summit.
Our team will share the details of all these with you all.
I hope you all will join in this.
Your Highnesses,
Excellencies,
With these words, I officially conclude this G-20 Summit.
May the path toward One Earth, One Family, One Future be pleasant.
स्वस्ति अस्तु विश्वस्य!
Which means there let there be hope and peace in the entire world.
With the well-wishes of 140 crore Indians, I express our sincere gratitude to all of you!
DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s Press Statement. Original Press Statement were delivered in Hindi.
Sharing my remarks at the closing ceremony of the G20 Summit. https://t.co/WKYINiXe3U
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
