Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar commenced his week-long three-nation Latin American tour on Saturday by interacting with the Indian diaspora in São Paulo, thanking them for acting as an “effective bridge” for better ties with Brazil.
The EAM asserted that bilateral “relationships are a two-way street. A lasting relationship cannot be a one-way street. We need that mutual respect and mutual sensitivity,” adding that India-Brazil ties “are defined by good sentiment, great goodwill and increasing cooperation.”
Crucially, Jaishankar also used the platform to touch on wider international concerns, denouncing Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control for “casting a shadow.”
As we celebrate the 75th year of Independence, the mood in the country is very optimistic. This is an India which is capable of big things... We brought out a large number of people through an organised effort during the Ukraine-Russia conflict: EAM Dr S Jaishankar in Sao Paulo pic.twitter.com/aEDjeUSB2B
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2022
In this regard, he argued that Beijing had “disregarded” bilateral agreements dating back to the 1990s that prohibited stationing mass troops in the border area, in reference to the stand-off in Galwan valley since May 2020. In this regard, he said that as neighbours, the two countries can only “get along” if China agrees to “reasonable terms,” adding that the border skirmishes “have not been resolved.”
Besides the China factor, the EAM’s speech in São Paulo comes at a critical juncture for India-Brazil ties, specifically against the backdrop of the two nations’ convergence on the decision to import Russian oil despite a wave of Western sanctions on the Kremlin due to the Ukraine war.
China has disregarded the border pacts with India. Galwan Valley standoff has been casting a shadow as ties between two nations continue to go through a very difficult phase: External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar during his interaction with Indian Community in Sao Paulo,Brazil pic.twitter.com/h8Ep16tdpK
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 21, 2022
Last week, during his visit to Thailand, Jaishankar said it is his “moral duty” to get the “best deal” for the country and “cushion the impact of the high energy prices.” India’s reliance on Russian oil has shot up significantly since February, with imports surging to 950,000 barrels per day in June, over 50 times the number in April. Moreover, in May, Russia became India’s second-largest supplier of oil, overtaking Saudi Arabia.
Likewise, Brazilian government statistics revealed last week that Russian imports rose by over 127% between July 2021 and 2022, led mainly by the purchase of fuel and fertilisers, with President Jair Bolsonaro stating, “We must import from those who sell at a better price.” In fact, in July he even inked a deal to accelerate the import of Russian diesel and has repeatedly advocated in favour of boosting trade ties with Moscow.
The two nations also have shared interests in multilateral fora, including a long-standing partnership as members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the G4, non-permanent representatives at the United Nations Security Council, and IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa).
Began my Latin American visit by meeting the Indian community in Sao Paulo.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 21, 2022
Shared with them the progress and optimism as India completes 75 years of Independence. pic.twitter.com/BcjYOBWOBJ
To this end, Indian Ambassador Suresh Reddy hailed Jaishankar’s arrival in São Paulo as an opportunity to “add new impetus to the strategic partnership between the two great democracies.”
During his regional tour, Jaishankar will also visit Paraguay and Argentina. Aside from being his first visit to the region, it also marks the first-ever visit by an Indian EAM to Paraguay.
A press release by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted that the trip presents an “opportunity to continue the ongoing high-level engagements with our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, explore new areas of cooperation in the post-pandemic era, and exchange views on issues of bilateral and international significance.”
Pleasure to host Ambassadors in New Delhi from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean countries- Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/LxrALUY06u
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 19, 2022
The visit shortly follows Jaishankar’s meeting with the ambassadors of 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries in New Delhi on Friday, wherein he discussed key areas to strengthen bilateral ties in and reaffirmed that there exists “so much potential for growing our cooperation as I head to the region tonight.”
During his visit, the minister will also interact with the heads of state of the three countries.
Following his stop in São Paulo on Saturday, Jaishankar travelled to Paraguayan capital Asunción on Sunday, where he unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and appreciated the local municipality’s “statement of solidarity.” He also visited the Casa de la Independencia to commemorate Paraguay's 1811 Independence Movement, describing it as a “testament to our common struggle and our growing relationship.”
🇵🇾🇮🇳 El ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de la #India, @DrSJaishankar, llegó hoy para una visita oficial, para conmemorar los 60 años de relacionamiento diplomático y con el objetivo de ampliar el relacionamiento político, económico y cultural.
— Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (@mreparaguay) August 21, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/KcrFTArZdI pic.twitter.com/NA0RKVBq3V
Jaishankar is also expected to inaugurate today the newly-established Indian Embassy in Paraguay, which started its operations in January 2022.
He will then begin an official visit to Brazil on August 24 with an interaction with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos França. He will also deliver a lecture at the Rio Branco Institute, engage with business communities, and will conclude bilateral agreements.
Finally, on the last leg of his tour, Jaishankar will visit Buenos Aires to discuss Argentina’s interests in joining the BRICS grouping, a proposition that has already received a positive response from China and Russia.
With both Brazil and Argentina being described as “strategic partners of India,” Jaishankar is expected to host and co-chair two Joint Commission Meetings with his counterparts to build upon bilateral agendas before his departure on August 27.