Context:

• During his official visit, Brazil recognised the strengthening of bilateral ties by awarding the Prime Minister of India with its highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.

What it is?

• Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, is given only to foreign dignitaries in honour of their outstanding service to the country.

Given by:

• The Brazilian President, who serves as the ex officio Grand Master of the Order, presents the award.

Background and Importance:

• Emperor Pedro I created it on December 1, 1822, to commemorate his coronation and Brazil’s independence.

• President Getúlio Vargas reinstated the order in 1932 as a republican honour intended to honour world leaders and heads of state from other countries.

• It displays Brazil’s goodwill in international relations, especially with Global South nations.

Concerning the Agreements between Brazil and India:

• Cooperation in Defence and Security:

  • The two countries signed a bilateral agreement to improve strategic coordination and fight terrorism and transnational organised crime together.

• Public Infrastructure in Digital Form:

  • To promote the sharing of digital solutions, including investigating the adoption of India’s UPI-like model in Brazil, a memorandum of understanding was signed.

• Sustainability and Renewable Energy:

  • They agreed to work together on the global energy transition, green technology, and renewable energy.

• Food Security and Agriculture:

  • In order to promote collaboration in agri-tech, seed research and development, and climate-resilient agricultural practices, Brazil’s EMBRAPA and India’s ICAR signed a memorandum.

• Rights to Intellectual Property:

  • Brazil’s Ministry of Trade and India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share policy knowledge and foster IPR innovation.

• Exchange of Classified Information:

  • Sensitive information, particularly in science, technology, and defence, will be mutually protected according to a framework that was agreed upon.

• Mechanism for Monitoring Bilateral Trade:

  • To consistently monitor and encourage investment, trade, and commerce between the two nations, an institutional mechanism at the ministerial level was put in place.