Brazilian President arrives in New Delhi

NEW DELHI:  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived here today on a three-day visit during which bilateral relations are expected to receive a major push.
 
Heading a 100-member delegation, including ministers and business leaders, Silva was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.
 
Silva will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here tomorrow on a wide range of issues, particularly covering business ties, energy cooperation and coordination of approach on various international issues.
    
India and Brazil work together under the framework of G-4 which is seeking UN reforms. The two countries also work closely in multilateral fora, including UN, WTO and G-20, besides cooperating under the framework of IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) group.
    
Some agreements will also be signed during the visit. Silva, undertaking his second visit here in three years, will also meet President A P J Abdul Kalam, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Opposition L K Advani and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Silva will also address the captains of Indian industry.
    
The bilateral trade has been increasing significantly in recent years, with Indian exports to Brazil last year being 1470 million dollars and imports 937 million dollars.
   
 The Brazilian companies have started targeting India for investment and business in areas such as infrastructure, food processing and energy.
    
A number of Indian companies have made investment and joint ventures in Brazil.