By IANS,
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will co-chair the Sixth India-Brazil Joint Commission meeting during his four-day visit to Brazil beginning Oct 14.
Khurshid will co-chair the meeting with his counterpart Luiz Alberto Figueiredo in Brasilia during which both sides will discuss the entire gamut of India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, including political, economic and commercial, agriculture, science and technology, defence, cultural and hydrocarbon, a statement said.
They will also exchange views on regional developments and international issues of common interest.
Brazil is an important trading partner of India in Latin America and Caribbean. Bilateral trade has grown significantly from $ 828 million in 2000 to $ 10.6 billion in 2012-13. India’s exports are valued at $ 6 billion and imports at $ 4.6 billion. Indian companies have made significant investments in Brazil which are estimated at $ 2.5 billion in the fields of agriculture, IT, pharma, manufacturing, hydrocarbons, said the statement
Khurshid will also chair the annual Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Heads of Indian Mission (HOM) Conference in Rio de Janeiro on Oct 16-17.
Diplomatic relations between India and Brazil were established in 1948. Both countries enjoy cordial and friendly relations, which are characterized by regular exchange of visits at all levels, shared values and convergence of views on issues of mutual interest. Brazil President Dilma Rousseff paid a state visit to India in May 2012 while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh participated in the Rio + 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012.