VII Reunião da Comissão Mista Brasil-Índia – Comunicado Conjunto e Ata – Nova Délhi, 19 de novembro de 2015 [Inglês]

7th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting (JCM)
Joint Statement and Minutes
New Delhi, November 19, 2015

The 7th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) Co-Chaired by the Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj and her Brazilian counterpart H.E Mr. Mauro Vieira, was held in New Delhi on 19 November 2015. Both Ministers underscored the importance of the JCM mechanism in deepening political dialogue, reviewing bilateral ties, and exchanging views on regional and multilateral cooperation. The strategic partnership established in 2006 between India and Brazil has deepened with both countries cooperating closely in BRICS, IBSA, G4, G20, BASIC and the wider multilateral context of the United Nations. The partnership is based on a common global vision; shared democratic values; and a commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion for the welfare of both the peoples. The Ministers agreed that there should be a mechanism at senior officer level to hold "Foreign Office Consultations" to take stock of the bilateral cooperation, regional & multilateral issues.

The two Ministers reviewed economic and trade relations noting that there remained tremendous potential for further growth and diversification of bilateral trade. The trade figures show a total turnover for 2014 increasing by over 20% to US $ 11.42 billion; India advancing from 12th to 8th among Brazil's top trading partners. However, the Ministers noted that there is unutilized potential which needs to be tapped.

The Ministers urged early holding of Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) & functioning of CEOS Forum. India expressed satisfaction with Brazilian investments in spheres such as urban transportation, IT Services and equipment, footwear, infrastructure, energy, and healthcare materials. Conversely, the Brazilian side acknowledged that a significant number of Indian companies had invested in Brazil with over fifty having a physical presence in areas such as oil, renewable energy, mining, engineering, automotive services, information technology and pharmaceuticals. India apprised Brazil of the relaxed FDI policies & `Make in India` initiative inviting more investments from Brazil.

It was agreed that the next Meeting would be held in Brazil in 2017 on a mutually convenient date.

Agreed Minutes

1. The Seventh India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting, co-chaired by H.E. Smt. Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of the Republic of India and H.E. Mr. Mauro Vieira, Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, was held in New Delhi on 18-19 November 2015.

2. The Ministers reviewed bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of this important mechanism of the Joint Commission which further deepened political dialogue between the two countries. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral cooperation and agreed that while substantial progress to strengthen bilateral relations has been made, enhanced efforts to realize the full potential of the partnership, and in particular its strategic component, were needed.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

3. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership established in 2006 while underscoring that this was based on a common global vision; shared democratic values; and a commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion for the welfare of the two peoples.

4. The two sides noted with satisfaction the continued relevance of the IBSA Dialogue Forum and their shared interest in deepening the dialogue among India, Brazil and South Africa. They agreed to foster the interests of the South in the context of the global discourse on the reform of the UN Security Council and the IMF, international terrorism, climate change, sustainable development, WTO and the Doha Development Agenda. The two sides underscored the priority of streamlining intra-IBSA cooperation, deepening the most promising streams of cooperation, while enhancing their effectiveness. They also stressed the need to further consolidate mutually beneficial cooperation on a range of issues in the G2G, B2B and P2P domains. They highlighted the role played by the IBSA Fund in sharing their developmental experience with other developing countries through projects carried out in the spirit of South-South Cooperation.

5. The two sides appreciated the outcomes of the 7th BRICS Summit in Ufa, Russia in July 2015. They stressed the important role played by BRICS in the global scenario. They noted that with the creation of permanent institutions – the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement - BRICS cooperation has evolved significantly by demonstrating its capacity to produce collective solutions to address contemporary regional and global challenges. They agreed to work together with other BRICS members to further deepen and consolidate BRICS cooperation. The Brazilian side expressed its full support to the upcoming Indian Chairmanship of BRICS as of February 2016.

6. The Ministers underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation in G-20, BASIC, WTO, as well as in the UN and other international fora to consolidate the strategic partnership that strives for equity and transparency in the spheres of international finance, trade, climate change, and sustainable development. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the enhanced India-CELAC Dialogue and India appreciated Brazil's role in pushing this dialogue forward.

7. The Ministers appreciated deepening mutual understanding and strengthening friendly ties between their respective governments and civil societies, business communities and academic institutions. The initiative of a think-tank dialogue between the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Brazilian foreign policy think tank "Fundação Alexandre de Gusmão - FUNAG" was welcomed.

8. It was agreed that the diplomatic academies of both countries, the Foreign Service Institute and the Rio Branco Institute, would exchange faculty and diplomatic officials for short and medium term training courses.

9. The India-Brazil strategic partnership was described as exemplary and mutually advantageous; distance and language were not seen as constraints as both sides had invested heavily in promoting shared interests and aspirations. To further engage and strengthen the developments on both sides, the Ministers decided that Foreign Office Consultations at official level should also be held alternately in India and Brazil on a regular basis.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

10. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the enhanced trade turnover of US $ 11.42 billion in 2014, with an increase of the order of 20%. At the same time, they acknowledged that there is tremendous potential for further growth and diversification of bilateral trade. Both Ministers resolved to encourage their respective industrial sectors, particularly small and medium enterprises to participate in each other's trade fairs, seminars and business conclaves to enhance trade flows.

11. Both Ministers acknowledged the important role played by the Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) in enhancing trade and commercial relations and urged the holding of the next TMM at the earliest. India appreciated Brazil's participation at the India-LAC Conclave in 2014 and encouraged Brazil for continued participation in the Conclave in the future.

12. Both sides sought further participation of the other in their economic development with India emphasizing the benefits of "Make in India". India informed Brazil about various initiatives taken by the Government of India to improve ease of doing business by simplifying rules and procedures for setting up business in India, and promoting manufacturing activity in the country. India and Brazil encourage their companies to set up an integrated value chain in both countries.

13. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at increasing flow of investments made in each others' country in various sectors including transportation, IT, footwear, infrastructure, energy, oil, mining, engineering, automotive services, pharmaceuticals etc. and appreciated their contribution in strengthening economic ties between the two countries. They agreed to explore new sectors for investment cooperation and in this connection, emphasized the need for greater interaction at B2B level for exchange of information about investment opportunities and relevant rules and regulation in the two countries.

14. Both Ministers referred to the meeting between the two leaders on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Ufa on 9 July 2015 regarding reinvigoration of the CEO's Business Forum to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries. They agreed that the regular exchange of business delegations will help in stimulating overall bilateral economic relations.

15. India appreciated Brazil`s efforts to work with MERCOSUL partners for expansion of the India-MERCOSUL Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), thereby increasing the trade basket from 450 to 2000 items. Brazil expressed its interest in working on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between MERCOSUL and India in parallel with exploratory talks on resuming the trilateral talks amongst MERCOSUL, India and SACU. The Ministers agreed to work simultaneously on those tracks for optimal results.

16. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the establishment of the Economic and Financial dialogue in 2011 and felt that this dialogue on micro and macro economic matters needed to be reinvigorated in the context of sharing views on the global economic and financial crisis. They also noted that an MoU on Cooperation between Brazil's CADE and the Competition Commission of India on competition issues was on the anvil.

MINING AND ENERGY

17. Both sides acknowledged the complementarities in the mining and minerals sector and agreed to expedite signing of the MOU on Cooperation in Mining between their respective Geological Surveys. The Ministers reiterated the importance of increasing the share of renewable sources in the global energy mix, and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in the areas of biomass, hydro-power, solar and wind energy technologies in addition to the ongoing initiatives within the IBSA framework. Both sides agreed to explore the benefits of second-generation ethanol (cellulosic ethanol), bio-electricity, and other bio-fuels.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING

18. The Ministers recognised that agriculture and food processing hold enormous potential for mutually beneficial partnerships. Both sides welcomed the visit of the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply to India in November 2015 and the joint decision to start discussions within the Joint Working Group on Agriculture on a roadmap to facilitate and implement initiatives under the MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

19. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that joint calls which resulted in more than 70 joint research proposals out of which 14 with high priority on both sides were selected for joint implementation.

20. The Ministers noted with appreciation the academic cooperation within the Science Without Borders programme and its potential to reach more Brazilian and Indian students, professors, researchers and universities. They noted that since 2012, seven scholarships Brazilian graduate students received grants to take courses in Indian Universities and seven Indian professors and researchers were granted scholarships in Brazil. At undergraduate level, the Brazilian side highlighted the importance of taking the necessary steps to ensure the validation of Brazilian secondary diplomas by Indian universities, in order to allow a stronger academic mobility of students.

21. Both sides noted the progress in cooperation established in scientific and technological projects in high priority areas on both sides viz. infectious diseases, Biotechnology, Traditional Knowledge Systems, Alternative and Renewable Energy and computer sciences and ICT, among other areas.

22. The Ministers welcomed the Indian proposal for holding the 2nd session of the Joint Commission on S&T in early 2016 to draw up a road map to further bilateral cooperation. Both countries agreed to hold the Brazil - India Scientific Council meeting in parallel with the Second JCST meeting.

SPACE

23. Both sides took note of the existing cooperation between their space agencies and welcomed signing of the Implementing Arrangement and Cooperation Programme in 2014, which enables the Brazilian Ground Station to receive and process data from India`s remote sensing satellite, RESOURCESAT-2 since October 2014, and interaction between the two agencies by using Brazil's ground station for India's tracking space science mission.

24. Both sides look forward to enhanced and expanded cooperation between the space agencies in Earth observation, space-based meteorology, space science and exploration.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

25. In pursuance of discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Dilma Rousseff, the Ministers agreed to further explore mutually beneficial cooperation on the civil nuclear domain, and noted with satisfaction the invitation of the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission to the President of Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission to visit India for discussions.

DEFENCE

26. Both Ministers expressed satisfaction at progress of cooperation between defence institutions of both countries. They welcomed the outcomes of the 4th meeting of the India- Brazil Joint Defence Committee (JDC) held in Brazil on 16-18 June 2015 and agreed to continue to progress implementation of the activities agreed thereupon.

27. Both Ministers stressed their full commitment to promote a secure international maritime domain freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and norms. Towards this end, both sides are working on signing a Technical Agreement for White Shipping Information Sharing.

28. The Indian side welcomed the participation of the Brazilian Navy Commander in the International Fleet Review conducted by the Indian Navy, both in February 2016.

29. The Brazilian side expressed satisfaction with the visit of the Indian Air Chief Marshal to Brazil in October 2015.

30. Both Ministers welcomed participation of the Indian delegation in the LAAD Defence and Security Exhibition in April 2015 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Indian side also encouraged the Brazilian side to field their delegations in Indian Defence Exhibitions - Defence Expo and Aero India.

31. Brazil expressed its satisfaction on the inclusion of a senior military officer in India's prestigious National Defence College Course, which began on January, 2016.

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

32. The Ministers reiterated the need that a balanced, comprehensive and equitable agreement for the post 2020 period will be adopted under the UNFCCC at the forthcoming COP 21 in Paris through a transparent and party-driven negotiating process. The Ministers stressed that the agreement must enhance the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention and be in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention, including the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities (CBDR&RC). They underlined the significance of a strong and united G77 & China group position on various climate change issues under negotiation and emphasized the crucial role the BASIC countries would need to play in achieving a successful outcome at Paris. They referred to the recently issued BASIC Ministerial Joint Statement in Beijing in October 2015.

33. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in New York in September this year, which reinforces the international community`s commitment to achieving sustainable development in all its dimensions. They recognized that the 2030 Agenda is universal and based on Rio principles including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. They reaffirmed their commitment towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in line with their national priorities.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION

34. The Ministers noted the potential to enhance opportunities for a broader dialogue and more intense collaboration between India and Brazil on issues related to technical cooperation. The Brazilian side appreciated Indian sponsorship of training courses for more than 25 Brazilian officials to study in India in over 20 different streams in last five years under its ITEC program.

HEALTH AND MEDICINE

35. The Ministers highlighted the active cooperation between the two countries on the issue of SSFFC medical products in the World Health Organization (WHO). Both countries have been jointly articulating views on unfair measures being taken by various countries to conflate quality, safety and efficacy issues with intellectual property rights and thereby undermine trade in legitimate generic medicine. They accorded priority to the Doha Declaration principle of primacy of public health in the context of implementing the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Intellectual Property, Public health and Innovation of the WHO, as well as the Agenda for Development of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

36. The Ministers welcomed the deepening of cooperation between the drug regulatory authorities of the two countries and looked forward to the early signing of an MOU between CDSCO and ANVISA.

37. The Indian side requested the Brazilian side to look afresh into the proposed draft Memorandum of Understanding between India and Brazil on Cooperation in Traditional Medicine. This was especially relevant as India and Brazil had vast experience in traditional medicine and Brazil had evinced interest in Indian systems such as Ayurveda.

EDUCATION

38. Both Ministers stressed the importance of education as a means to promote social and economic development, and expressed their mutual interest in strengthening academic mobility between both countries. Both Ministers expressed satisfaction over the creation of a Brazilian lectureship at Jawaharlal Nehru University to promote the Portuguese language, Brazilian culture and literature in India which will expand people to people ties.

39. Both sides committed themselves to strengthening educational exchanges and institutional partnerships and to resolve issues of students/faculty mobility and mutual recognition of educational qualifications.

CULTURE

40. Both Ministers recognized the vast potential for cultural cooperation and agreed to renew the Cultural Exchange program for establishing people-to-people and institution-to- institution contacts in the field of culture which can play a major role in complementing the bilateral relations between the two countries beyond the commercial relations.

41. The two Ministers noted that the Indian Cultural Center established in Sao Paulo in 2011 had been contributing to deepen people to people links. The Center holds regular classes on classical Indian dances (Odissi, Bharat Natyam & Kathak), Yoga, Hindi and gastronomy. The Center is also being utilized to celebrate Indian and Brazilian festivals, organize lectures, shows, seminars, workshops, movie and documentary screenings on diverse subjects like tourism, anthropology, religion, culture, art, and history. It has hosted more than 250 events and participated in numerous events organized by other institutions.

42. Both sides expressed their satisfaction that a Brazilian Cultural Centre would be set up in India in the near future.

43. India also expressed gratitude for issuance by Brazil of a commemorative stamp to mark the International Yoga Day on 21 June 2015 and is being celebrated in 12 cities of Brazil.

TOURISM

44. Both Ministers agreed to encourage and facilitate the visit of tourists between the two countries and demonstrated interest in exploring the possibility of joint investments in the hospitality and tourism infrastructure sectors. The Ministers noted that the bilateral Agreement on Air Services, signed in 2011, provided the legal framework to the establishment of direct flights between Brazil and India. Both sides agreed to consider measures to increase bilateral tourism flows and those under the BRICS framework.

SPORTS

45. Both Ministers agreed that sporting events were opportunities for development and social inclusion, character building. They were instruments for the promotion of peace, international cooperation and rapprochement between partner countries, such as India and Brazil. Brazil thanked India for co-sponsoring the draft resolution of UNGA on the "Olympic Truce". India expressed confidence that the RIO OLYMPICS of 2016 would be arranged most successfully by Brazil. Brazil thanked India for according importance to sports and agreeing to host the first under-17 BRICS football tournament during its forthcoming Presidency. Both sides agreed to share their experiences in organizing Mega sporting events.

CONSULAR COOPERATION

46. Both sides welcomed the convening of the first Consular Mechanism Meeting in July 2015 in Brasilia that had started the process of regular consultations on consular, diaspora and migration matters, as well as visas. The Ministers expressed satisfaction that instruments of ratification of the Extradition Treaty have been exchanged on that occasion. It was also noted that consular authorities from both sides would maintain contact through video conferences and that they would discuss the agreements on civil and criminal matters; visa fee reciprocity; and the sharing of the Indian experience in handling the E-Visa system.

PARLIAMENTARY EXCHANGES

47. The Ministers agreed that parliamentary exchanges between the two countries were an important facet of cooperation between two great democratic nations that needed to be actively encouraged. Both sides agreed to encourage the exchange of goodwill delegations of Members of Parliament to strengthen the linkages between the two Parliaments and to emphasize their role in strengthening bilateral relations.

SECTORAL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

48. The Ministers stressed the importance of streamlining the functioning of sectoral working groups under existing bilateral Memoranda of Understanding to make them more efficacious. They agreed that there should be no duplication of efforts or delays in implementing work plans . The Joint Commission Meeting will take stock of progress made in this regard.

CYBER SECURITY

49. India and Brazil have agreed to strengthen joint efforts on promoting cyber security, combating cybercrime, and improving cooperation between our technical, law enforcement, cyber R&D, and capacity building institutions. To this end, the two governments have agreed to initiate a bilateral dialogue on a regular basis on cyber issues to forge closer cooperation and to exchange views on a full range of emerging cyber issues, including, but not limited to, cyber threat perceptions, policies and strategies, agency roles and responsibilities, key domestic developments, and international and regional developments.

TERRORISM

50. The Ministers expressed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They noted that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. They stressed that the UN has a central role in coordinating international action against terrorism, which must be conducted in accordance with international law, including the UN Security Council sanctions regime on terrorism. They conveyed their deep concern about the issue of financing of terrorism, and strongly condemned direct or indirect financial assistance given to terrorist groups. They urged the international community to cooperate with urgency to conclude and adopt the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations at the earliest.

REGIONAL AND MULTILATERAL ISSUES

51. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of regional and multilateral issues. India's External Affairs Minister briefed the Brazilian side on developments in South Asia and the recently concluded India-Africa summit while the Brazilian Minister of External Relations briefed the Indian side on developments in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

52. The Ministers affirmed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, to make it more representative, effective and responsive to contemporary challenges to international peace and security in the 21st Century. Recalling the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit where the international community and the leaders committed themselves to an early reform of the Security Council, the Ministers called for concrete outcomes towards this end to be achieved during the 70th anniversary year of the UN and decided to enhance efforts bilaterally and through the G-4 to realize it. The Ministers reaffirmed their full support for each other's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.

53. The Ministers welcomed the results of the Seventh Meeting of the India-Brazil Joint Commission. Both sides agreed to explore innovative and effective ways to further their cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest. The Ministers decided to meet again in Brazil in 2017, on a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.

54. The Brazilian side expressed gratitude for the warm and friendly hospitality received during their stay in India.

Agreed on November 19, 2015 in New Delhi in English.

For the Government of Brazil
H.E. Mr. Mauro Vieira
Minister of External Relations of
The Federative Republic of Brazil

For the Government of India
H.E. Smt. Sushma Swaraj
Minister of External Affairs of the
Republic of India