Brasilia (Brazil), September 11
When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives here on Tuesday on a two-day visit, he is likely to give
concrete shape to the IBSA dialogue forum, besides providing a fillip to Indo-Brazil ties.
Dr. Singh, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Brazil in 38
years, is expected to give greater content to bilateral political, defence and economic interactions, besides focussing on energy security.
He will have one-to-one talks with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, participate in delegation-level talks, and be witness to the signing of several agreements — one for joint collaboration in developing ethanol as an alternative fuel, an air services pact and a pact with Petrobas for exploration of oil in mutual countries.
Trade between India and Brazilis presently pegged at 3.2 billion dollars, and if experts are to be believed, the 10 billion dollar mark can be achieved by 2011.
India exports diesel, coal and chemicals to Brazil, while the latter exports sugar, soyabean oil, chemicals and iron ore.
Dr. Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf in Havana are likely to meet on the sidelines of the 14th Non Aligned Summit in Havana.
"Efforts are being made to arrange the meeting. We will cross the bridge when we get there," Dr. Singh told reporters onboard Air India One, while en route to Frankfurt.
Reacting to speculations surrounding the meeting in Havana, BJP president Rajnath Singh said Dr. Singh should not meet Musharraf until the terror infrastructure in Pakistan is not dismantled.
The meeting between the two leaders is being seen with a glimmer of hope, as there are elements on both sides in reviving the stalled peace process, which was suspended after the 7/11 Mumbai blasts.
Describing the last week's Malegaon serial blasts as a "shame", the Prime Minister said the investigations were on, "but we have not yet reached any conclusion".
— ANI
