Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 21

Brazil President Jair Messias Bolsonaro will arrive here on Friday for a four-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bolsonaro will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

In a demonstration of intent to improve bilateral ties between two aspiring members for permanent seats on the UN Security Council, Bolsonaro will be accompanied by seven ministers, a large business delegation and senior officials.

This is the third time that the Brazilian President will be the chief guest for the Republic Day Parade. The earlier occasions were in 1996 and 2004.

Despite close political relations, bilateral trade stood at a modest $8.2 billion in 2018-19. Of this, $3.8 billion was Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 billion imports by India. However, Indian investments in Brazil are at around $6 billion, mainly in the IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors.

On Saturday, Bolsonaro will meet President Ramnath Kovind, who will host a banquet in his honour and hold talks with PM Modi.