With Business In Mind, Modi Invites Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro As The Chief Guest Of Republic Day 2019

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will be the chief guest of India's Republic Day celebrations next year. This, after the Brazilian leader, accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to be the chief guest at even in January.

The two leaders had met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Summit to focus on building mechanisms for counter-terrorism cooperation and strengthen India's ties with the world's five major economies.

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The two leaders held "fruitful talks" to strengthen the bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Modi invited Bolsonaro to the Republic Day, 2020. The Brazilian President has accepted the invitation with pleasure, according to an official statement.

"Both leaders agreed that on this occasion, the two countries can comprehensively enhance our strategic partnership," it said.

Modi said that he looked forward to discussing matters relating to trade. He also outlined areas for potential investment from Brazil, including in areas of agricultural equipment, animal husbandry, post-harvest technologies, and biofuels, the statement said.

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The Brazilian President expressed his readiness and informed Prime Minister Modi that a large business delegation will accompany him to India, it said, adding that the two leaders also discussed other areas of cooperation including space and defence sectors.

Far-right politician Bolsonaro who came into power in Brazil earlier this year, riding on a populist wave has been trying to open up the country for businesses from around the word, amid the slowdown.

Brazil is one of the most important trading partners of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region. India-Brazil bilateral trade has increased substantially in the last two decades.

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Imports from Brazil in India had increased to 25.50 INR Billion in August from 22.48 INR Billion in July of 2019.

In 2018-19, Mexico overtook Brazil as the top trading partner of India in Latin America for the first time.

Last month, Bolsonaro had said the South American nation will drop its requirement that visiting Indian tourists or business people obtain visas.

This means that Indians do not need a visa to enter Brazil for a period of 90 days, extendable for another 90 days.

Prime Minister Modi had welcomed the decision of the President to grant visa-free travel to Indian citizens.

India is also providing the facility of e Visa (Electronic Visa) for Brazilians visiting the country under the following five categories: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference.

The e-Tourist visa is valid up to a year after arrival in India, double-entry, and visits cannot be longer than 90 days of continuous stay per entry/visit into Indian territory.