India, SA & Brazil To Finalise Rainbow Coalition Next Week

Our Political Bureau

New Delhi, June 1:  In an effort to forge trilateral cooperation, India, South Africa and Brazil will finalise a ‘Rainbow Coalition’ with a seven-point agenda for international cooperation during external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha’s visit to Brazil next week.

Mr Sinha, who embarks on a six-day two-nation trip to Peru and Brazil commencing Monday, will join his counterparts from South Africa, Nkosazana Zuma and from Brazil, Celso Amorin, to firm up the trilateral pact on June 6.

“India is keen to move in the direction of working out preferential tariff arrangements and subsequently free trade agreement with the Andean community, which includes Bolivia, Columbia, Equador, Peru and Venezuela,” Shashank, secretary (EAA), ministry of external affairs told mediapersons on Saturday.

Mr Shashank said the minister will also examine prospects of establishing a regular framework of dialogue with the Rio group which incorporates all South American countries and one representative of the Caribbean countries, by rotation. This is expected to open up new vistas for Indian companies, he said.

On June 4, the minister will leave for Brazil with which India’s trade has been growing rapidly by over 40 per cent in one year touching $1 billion.

Brazil being the fourth largest manufacturer of aircraft in the world, the minister may discuss cooperation in this sector. Mr Sinha will call on the Brazilian President during his four-day stay.

Considerable significance is being attached to the visit, the first to Brazil by a foreign minister. It is expected to put on track an agenda for the 21st century, particularly on the economic Front. The foreign ministers from three continents will also be looking into questions relating to a world free from violence including the threats posed by terrorism, democracy, human rights and international good governance for equitable globalisation.

Mr Sinha’s visit to Latin America reflects importance attached by India in giving a new dimension to its multifaceted cooperation with countries of the region.

His first halt will be Peru, where he will hold talks with his counterpart Allan Wagner on a host of bilateral, regional and international issues.

During his two-day stay, the minister will call on the Peruvian president, vice-president and other senior leaders.

He will sign a cooperation agreement with the secretary general of the Andean Pact that would set into motion regular political dialogue as also discussions for enhanced economic cooperation.

During his stay, Mr Sinha has called a meeting of India’s ambassadors in the South American region to get a feedback on various issues as also to underpin the importance of building stronger ties with these countries.

In 2001-02, Indian exports to Brazil touched $528 million while imports accounted for $308 million. Commerce and industry minister Arun Jaitley is expected to fly to Paraguay to ink a framework agreement for stepped up cooperation.