President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be on a state visit to India from 18th of this month till 22nd February on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Briefing media in the national capital today, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that President Lula da Silva will be accompanied by several ministers and business delegations. He said, Prime Minister Modi and the Brazil President are scheduled to have a bilateral meeting on 21st February. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to meet him, and host a banquet in his honour. Both leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora, reformed multilateralism, global governance and issues concerning the Global South.
The President of Brazil is expected to be accompanied by about 14 Ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies. The accompanying Ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterparts. The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum being organised during the visit of the Brazilian President, reflecting the growing trade and commercial engagements between the two countries.
The spokesperson further added that French President Emmanuel Macron will also be paying a three-day official visit for the Summit.
On India-US trade talks, Mr Jaiswal said the Joint Statement on the framework for an Interim Trade Agreement remains the basis of both nations’ mutual understanding in the matter. He added that both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalizing the Interim Agreement. He said the amendments in the US fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the Joint Statement.
Replying to a query on US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, the spokesperson said India has received an invitation from the US side to join the Board of Peace. He said they are currently examining the proposal, adding that India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia. He highlighted that Prime Minister has welcomed the initiative that provides a pathway towards long-term and sustainable peace in the region, including Gaza.
On the meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu in New Delhi, the spokesperson said several issues were discussed, including peace and tranquillity on the border, as to how important that aspect is in the progress of ties with China. He added that Mr Ma Zhaoxu conveyed that China understands and respects India’s aspirations for UNSC membership.
Replying to a query on trade ties with Russia, Mr Jaiswal emphasised that India-Russia have ongoing engagement and cooperation across a range of issues, from trade to defence engagement. He said all those aspects of India-Russia bilateral relations will continue to grow.
On Bangladesh General Elections, the spokesperson said India stands for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh.
