India and Brazil Establish Routine Bilateral Meeting Arrangement

12 Sep, 2023

India and Brazil Establish Routine Bilateral Meeting Arrangement

Following the adoption of the historic 'Delhi Declaration' by G20 leaders, India and Brazil have issued a joint statement reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the G20 as the paramount forum for international economic collaboration aimed at addressing global challenges.

On September 10, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva convened in New Delhi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, where they underscored their shared vision for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This reform, they emphasized, should encompass both permanent and non-permanent categories and should involve a heightened representation of developing nations. The ultimate objective is to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, representativeness, and legitimacy of the UNSC, thus better equipping it to confront contemporary challenges in the realms of international peace and security. The leaders also reiterated their mutual support for securing permanent membership for their respective countries within an expanded UNSC.

A pivotal agreement reached during their meeting was the establishment of regular bilateral coordination meetings specifically dedicated to addressing the reform of the UN Security Council. Both leaders expressed their disappointment at the prevailing stagnation in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform, which has yet to yield tangible progress. In response, they jointly advocated for a shift towards a results-oriented process with well-defined timelines, aimed at achieving concrete outcomes.

Prime Minister Modi extended a warm welcome to President Lula's announcement of Brazil's endorsement of India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the 2028-2029 term, strengthening the partnership between the two nations.

Recognizing the urgency of a just and equitable transition toward sustainable energy, the leaders highlighted the pivotal role of biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles in the decarbonization of the transportation sector, especially in developing countries. They commended ongoing bilateral initiatives in bioenergy, encompassing both governmental and private sectors. Furthermore, they celebrated the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance during India's G20 presidency, with both India and Brazil serving as founding members.

Acknowledging their significant roles as major global food producers, the leaders renewed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in sustainable agriculture and rural development. They stressed the importance of multilateral collaboration in safeguarding the food and nutritional security of their respective countries and the broader global community.

In addition to these efforts, both leaders welcomed the establishment of the India-Brazil Business Forum as a dedicated platform to facilitate private sector collaboration between the two nations.

Addressing the recent BRICS Summit held in South Africa, Prime Minister Modi and President Lula acknowledged the positive outcomes, particularly the renewed and reinforced support for the reform of the United Nations Security Council. They also took note of the invitations extended to six countries to become full members of BRICS.

President Lula extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Modi for India's successful G20 presidency and expressed Brazil's commitment to close collaboration with India during its upcoming G20 presidency, set to commence in December 2023. Both leaders celebrated the consecutive presidencies of developing countries within the G20, which amplifies the influence of the Global South in shaping global governance.