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Context: In a positive addition to the nascent Indian defence industry, discussions on the maintenance of submarines was held by Brazil

Details:

• During the two-day visit, the Brazilian delegation held extensive discussions with the Indian Navy counterparts with focus on maintenance of submarines.
• As part of the visit, the delegation also visited Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) and a Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarine of the Indian Navy.
• MDL is involved in manufacturing six conventional Scorpene (Project 75) jointly with the Naval Group of France.
• The Brazilian Navy also operates 4 Scorpene-class submarines and is exploring options for collaboration towards the maintenance of the diesel-electric attack submarines.
• India has put an impetus towards increasing its exports of defence equipment and services. It was in January this year that India had bagged a major defence contract. The Philippines approved a $374.96 million (Rs 2700 cr) contract for the purchase of a shore-based Brahmos anti-ship missile system from India.
• India’s Defence Exports touched a high of Rs 13,000 cr in 2021-22. The Private sector industries have been dominating the defence-related exports.
• India's defence exports were worth ₹8,434 crore in 2020-21, ₹9,115 crore in 2019-20 and ₹2,059 crore in 2015-16. It was Rs 1,941 crore in financial year 2014-15.

Background:

• India and Brazil share a very close and multifaceted relationship both at bilateral level as well as in plurilateral fora such as BRICS, BASIC, G-20, G-4, IBSA, International Solar Alliance, as well as in the larger multilateral bodies such as the UN, WTO, UNESCO, and WIPO.
• The two countries have been Strategic Partners since 2006. The bilateral relationship is based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion for the welfare of the people of both countries.
• Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese explorer landed on the East Coast of Brazil in 1500, two years after Vasco de Gama had landed in India.
• Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Brazil and Goa, both outposts of the Portuguese imperialist empire, had bilateral exchanges that are reflected in food and dressing as well as local traditions.
• Another remarkable, but relatively unknown facet of India-Brazil bilateral relations is that the bulk of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin.
• More recently, the popularity of a Brazilian tele-novella called ‘Caminho das Indias’ (Paths of India) has had a great impact in enhancing awareness of India in the minds of the Brazilian public.
• Diplomatic relations were established in 1948, with both countries opening the embassies in the same year.
• India’s Strategic Partnership with Brazil has continued to intensify with a number high level engagements.
• President Bolsonaro was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in 2020
• Regular high level exchange of visits have provided a sustained impetus to the growing relationship.
• As Strategic Partners, India and Brazil have several Institutional mechanisms to coordinate various aspects of their bilateral relationship. This includes Joint Commission Meeting (Foreign Minister level), Strategic Dialogue (NSA), Foreign Office Consultations (Secretary), Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM), Economic and Financial Dialogue, Dialogue on Consular and Mobility Issues, Joint Defence Commission, Joint Committee on Science & Technology and India-Brazil Business Leaders Forum.
• Parliamentary exchanges is another major feature of India-Brazil bilateral relations.
• In Brazil, there is a Brazil-India Parliamentary Friendship Group.
• In 2019-20, the bilateral trade was valued at US$ 7.04 billion with exports worth US$ 3.97 billion and imports worth US$ 3.07 billion.
• India and Brazil have established Trade Monitoring Mechanism as an institutional mechanism to monitor and identify bottlenecks in bilateral trade and take appropriate measures to address them.
• Total Indian investment in Brazil is estimated at more than US$ 6 billion. Brazilian investments in India are around US$ 1 billion.
• India-Brazil CEO Forum was constituted in 2012 and was re-christened as India-Brazil Business Leader’s Forum in January 2016.
• MERCOSUR is a regional grouping comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with MERCOSUR in 2004.
• India and Brazil signed an agreement in 2003 for cooperation in defence. Meetings of Joint Defence Committee (JDC) are held as an institutionalized mechanism for defence cooperation
• Brazilian firearms company Taurus Armas SA signed a joint venture with Jindal Defence (part of O P Jindal Group) to produce and sell small arms in India. With an initial investment of US$ 5 million in a project that is to be developed in phases, the agreement proposes setting up a plant at Hisar (Haryana).
• Indian and Brazilian Navies are also coordinating the technical aspects related to White Shipping Information through a data sharing agreement.
• India and Brazil established a Strategic Dialogue mechanism in 2006 to cover regional and global issues of mutual concern. The two countries already have an Extradition Treaty, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters and an Agreement of Transfer of Sentenced Persons in place.
• India and Brazil signed a framework agreement for peaceful use of outer space in 2004 as well an Agreement inter-institutional cooperation between the space agencies.
• Minister Pontes witnessed the launch of Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 at Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. Amazonia-1 is the first Earth Observation satellite to be completely designed, integrated, tested and operated by Brazil.
• The Agreement on S&T Cooperation between India and Brazil was signed on 12 September, 2006
• Agriculture, food processing and animal husbandry are other key focus areas for bilateral cooperation.
• Brazil is covered under the Scholarship scheme of the Indian Council of Cultural relations (ICCR) with two fixed slots annually. Brazil is also covered under the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme.
• Under a bilateral agreement signed in 2004, diplomatic and official passport holders are exempted from Visa for a stay of maximum of 90 days. India issues e-visas for Brazilians visiting India for the purpose of tourism, medical treatment and attending conferences.
• In Brazil, there is a lot of interest in India’s culture, religion, performing arts and philosophy.
• The Indian community in Brazil is estimated to be around 5,000 people, with majority of them living in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus.

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