New Delhi: Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro will on Friday begin a four-day visit to India, primarily as chief guest on Republic Day and also to explore ways to boost trade ties at a time both the large economies are hit by slowdowns.
On his first visit to India after assuming power, Bolsonaro will be accompanied by a Brazilian delegation comprising of several ministers, senior officials, Chairman of Brazil-India Friendship Group in the Brazilian Parliament, and businessmen.
"President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be paying a state visit to India from January 24-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be the chief guest at India's 71st Republic Day Parade on January 26," the External Affairs Ministry said.
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, won a landslide victory in Brazil's presidential election in October 2018 and took the reins of the country in January last year.
"This visit is expected to further enhance and strengthen the multi-faceted ties between India-Brazil," the ministry said.
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The last presidential visit from Brazil was by President Michel Temer in October 2016 on the sidelines of the eighth BRICS summit in Goa. Modi visited Brazil in November to attend the XI BRICS Summit.
Brazilian presidents have graced the Republic Day Parade in 1996 and 2004.
On January 25, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold separate talks with Bolsonaro. Kovind will also host a banquet for the visiting dignitary.
The Brazilian president will witness the Republic Day parade on January 26 as the chief guest.
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On January 27, Bolsonaro will address a group of Indian and Brazilian business leaders at the India-Brazil Business Forum, according to the MEA.
Other engagements include his meetings with Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, a visit to Raj Ghat in New Delhi to lay a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi; and a visit to Taj Mahal on Monday.
India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.
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The volume of bilateral trade was USD 8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included USD 3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and USD 4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further.
"Both sides will focus on boosting trade and investment during the visit," said an official.
Both the countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Modi met Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka in June last year during which a raft of issues of bilateral importance were discussed.
