‘Cementing Bonds Of Friendship’: PM Modi, Brazilian Prez Discuss Deepening Trade Ties In Agri, Defence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva in Japan’s Hiroshima on the sidelines of the G7 summit, where most advanced economies from all over the world were present. They held productive and wide-ranging talks during which they discussed ways to further deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, particularly in sectors such as defence production, trade, and renewable energy, the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Both the leaders also exchanged views and perspectives on regional developments and cooperation in multilateral platforms. This was the first meeting between the two leaders.

PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, “India and Brazil will keep working together to deepen trade ties and diversify their cooperation in sectors like agriculture, defence and more."

The talks with President @LulaOficial were productive and wide ranging. India and Brazil will keep working together to deepen trade ties. We also discussed diversifying cooperation in sectors like agriculture, defence and more. pic.twitter.com/xEwAdN1lzx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2023

Official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs, India, Arindam Bagchi, in a Tweet, said, "Cementing bonds of friendship. PM Modi met President Lula of Brazil in Hiroshima, and discussed ways to further deepen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership.”

🇮🇳🇧🇷| Cementing bonds of friendship.

PM @narendramodi met President @LulaOficial of Brazil in Hiroshima.

Discussed ways to further deepen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, especially in sectors of defence production, trade, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, dairy & animal… pic.twitter.com/lLd1d7aaX5

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 21, 2023

Ministry of External Affairs, in an official statement, said the leaders noted that this year marked the 75th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations. 

The ministry further said, “They reviewed their Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to further deepen it, especially in sectors of defence production, trade, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, dairy and animal husbandry and bio-fuels and clean energy.”

Both leaders also emphasised the need to organise a high-level meeting of business leaders from both countries in the future.

After exchanging views on regional developments, both the leaders laid stress on the importance of continued cooperation in multilateral platforms and the long-standing need for reform of multilateral institutions.

Eventually, PM Modi looks forward to welcoming President Lula to India for the G-20 Summit in September this year, the statement informed.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the ongoing G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The two leaders are in Japan to attend the G7 Summit which is being held from May 19-21 in the historic city of Hiroshima.

PM Modi said, "The meeting with PM Sunak was a very fruitful one. We discussed boosting cooperation in trade, innovation, science and other such sectors."

Prime Minister Modi on Sunday also visited the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima and signed the visitor's book. The PM paid tribute to the memory of Hiroshima victims at Peace Memorial Park.