Brasilia [Brazil], July 9 (ANI): India and Brazil on Tuesday signed a series of agreements, including a landmark pact on cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organised crime, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to the South American nation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.
MEA Secretary (East) P. Kumaran, addressing a special press briefing in Brasilia, said the two countries also inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on renewable energy and sharing successful large-scale digital solutions for digital transformation.
“After the delegation-level talks, there was a signing and exchange of MoUs and agreements. Three agreements were signed today and exchanged in front of the President and the Prime Minister,” Kumaran said. “These were the agreements on cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organised crime, an MoU on cooperation for the sharing of successful large-scale digital solutions for digital transformation, and an MoU on cooperation in renewable energy.”
When asked about the details of the terrorism agreement, Kumaran explained that it establishes mechanisms for intelligence sharing, exchange of information, and cooperation on the transfer of wanted persons and criminals. “We have other legal frameworks such as the Extradition Treaty, mutual legal assistance treaties, etc. This is for real-time or near-real-time intelligence cooperation so that one can try and deal with counter-terrorism and transnational organised crime more effectively,” he added.
Three additional agreements are expected to be signed later in the day: an MoU on agricultural research, an agreement on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information, and an MoU on cooperation in intellectual property.
The agreements followed a restricted meeting and delegation-level talks between PM Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia.
During the talks, PM Modi thanked President Lula for his firm condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, and for Brazil’s solidarity with the Indian people. “On security and terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that India stands firm in its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Kumaran noted, adding that President Lula expressed full support for India’s fight against terrorism.
In a joint press statement after the talks, PM Modi emphasized the shared commitment of India and Brazil to a “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach to terrorism.
“Today, as the world goes through a period of tension and uncertainty, India-Brazil partnership stands as an important pillar of stability and balance,” Modi said. “We are in full agreement that all disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. We firmly believe that there is no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism. We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”
PM Modi is on a State Visit to Brazil at the invitation of President Lula. Earlier, he attended the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
(ANI)
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