New Delhi: Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan met a Brazilian delegation led by Union Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Tereza Christina on Saturday and held talks on various bilateral issues including foodgrain subsidies, international trade of livestock and market access to Indian goods.
Paswan, while highlighting the measures taken by the Government of India to ensure food security of its citizens, informed that around 800 million people in the country are currently covered under the targeted public distribution system through which food grains are distributed at highly subsidised prices.
"The relationship between India and Brazil is quite old. Sugar production is quite high in Brazil. We held a detailed discussion on technology exchange. The Brazilian Prime Minister has been invited as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations." Paswan said.
Read: India, Brazil to ink over 15 agreements during Bolsonaro's visit
The Consumer affairs minister also requested the Brazilian delegation to consider approving market access to Indian goods in Brazil as a similar measure, particularly for corn seeds and onions for which the request has been pending since 2012.
Besides, both countries agreed to work together in areas related to blending ethanol with petroleum in order to curb climate change.
India and Brazil will ink over 15 agreements and launch a plan of action for the strategic partnership between the two countries during Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's republic day visit.
During the visit, Bolsonaro will meet President Ram Nath Kovind -- who will host a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in his honour -- and hold talks with PM Modi. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on President Bolsonaro.
