A Solemn Session In Brazilian Congress Honouring India's 75th Independence Anniversary

Published: Tuesday, November 8, 2022, 14:16 [IST]

About Brazilian Legislative Branch

The National Congress is the name of the Brazilian legislature. In addition to having the authority to pass legislation, the National Congress is in charge of overseeing all accounting, financial, and budgetary activities involving not just the Union's funds and assets but also those of any of the Union's branch departments or federal agencies. The Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies make up Brazil's bicameral legislative legislature.

Solemn Session Honours India's 75th Independence

Minister of State for External Affairs of India (MoS) Mr Muraleedharan said, "Happy to arrive at Sao Paulo, Brazil, with whom we share a strategic partnership. Look forward to my engagements, including addressing the Brazilian Congress at the Solemn Session on 75 years of India's Independence, interaction with Brazilian leadership and the Indian community."MoS will attend the Solemn Session on 75 years of India's Independence on November 8, which will be held in the Brazilian Parliament (Congresso Nacional)."

Types of Sessions in the Deputies Chamber

Ordinary Sessions: These sessions are conducted only once a day. The five-hour sessions are set aside for discussion and consideration. On Monday through Thursday, the meetings are held from 2 pm to 7 pm, and on Friday, they are held from 9 am to 2 pm.

Extraordinary Sessions: These sessions are conducted on separate days or at different times than regular sessions. The special sessions focus on the debate and examination of items on the Order of Business. They can be prolonged for one hour and last for four hours.

Solemn Sessions: These sessions are called for great celebrations or to pay special homage to important individuals.

Brazilian Congress

Due to the country's adoption of bicameralism, any bill presented to one of the houses must be revised by the other. As a result, except for matters that fall under the exclusive purview of each house, the legislative process allows for both houses' participation in enacting laws. A Parliamentary Calendar year, which is distinct from the calendar, is used for the meetings.

The tenure of the Congress, which runs concurrently with that of the deputies, is four years. In Portuguese, this time is known as "Legislatura."

However, the sittings do not go on for the entire time. The National Congress takes a break so its members can travel to their home states and experience firsthand their constituents' demands. Each Congress is divided into four Sessions as a result. As a result, each Session starts on February 2, ends on December 22, resumes on August 1, and starts again on February 2.

In addition to its inherent authority to pass laws, the legislative branch controls how funds are allocated and used. As representatives of the people and the states, the Chamber and the Senate, as well as any of their Committees, may inquire into the actions of Ministers of State or any other public official in charge of branch departments or federal agencies under the President. The public official must provide all the information requested by any of the chambers of the legislative branch or risk being fired or temporarily removed from their position. The National Congress must similarly ensure that public monies are used in accordance with the law.

8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting: Co-chaired by Dr S. Jaishankar

The 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and his Brazilian colleague Carlos França in Brasilia. Trade and investments, oil, biofuels, edible oils and minerals, traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, agriculture and livestock, space, defence, counterterrorism, and consular areas were all thoroughly discussed.
Following the conference, agreements in the areas of taxation and broadcasting were inked. The two ministers discussed the BRICS, IBSA, UN, G20, and the war in Ukraine.
Dr Jaishankar expressed gratitude to the Brazilian government for issuing a commemorative stamp to honour Amrit Mahotsav, the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. He congratulated Mr França on a successful meeting.

Brazil and India Relations

At the bilateral level, in international organisations including the UN, WTO, UNESCO, and WIPO, as well as in the BRICS, BASIC, G-20, G-4, IBSA, International Solar Alliance, and Biofuture Platform, India and Brazil have a deep and complex relationship.

A new chapter in India-Brazil ties began in 2006 thanks to a bilateral strategic partnership built on a shared global vision, democratic ideals, and a commitment to promote social inclusion and economic progress for the benefit of both nations' citizens.

Political Relations

Political ties between India and Brazil have developed over the past few decades through several high-level meetings, and they further deepened in 2019 and the first few months of 2020 thanks to back-to-back VVIP visits.
President Jair Bolsonaro acknowledged the reelection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2019. On June 29, 2019, President Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Modi met outside the G20 Summit in Osaka.
During the sessions, significant bilateral topics were covered, creating chances for both parties to advance strategic cooperation. On November 13, 2019, PM Modi and President Bolsonaro met in private on the sidelines of the XI BRICS Summit in Brasilia, which took place from November 13-14.

Commercial Relations

From January 25-27, 2020, President Bolsonaro visited India as a guest of Prime Minister Modi. On January 26, 2020, he served as the chief guest at India's Republic Day Parade.
He was joined by a high-level entourage that comprised eight ministers, four members of parliament, senior Brazilian government officials, and business leaders. Brazil signed 15 Memorandums of Understanding and agreements during a presidential visit for the first time in its history.
With these memoranda of understanding and agreements, India and Brazil decided to increase their collaboration in the fields of trade and investment, early childhood, health and medical, traditional systems of medicine and homoeopathy, social security, cyber security, science, and technology, geology and mineral resources, animal husbandry and dairying, and culture. The two countries also adopted the Action Plan to Strengthen the Strategic Partnership.

Trading Relations

Brazil is one of India's most significant trading partners in the entire LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) region. In the past 20 years, bilateral commerce between India and Brazil has significantly increased.
However, the general decline in commodity prices worldwide and Brazil's economic downturn in 2015 impacted commerce. Due to this, bilateral commerce decreased to USD 7.9 billion and USD 5.64 billion in 2015 and 2016, respectively, feeling unfavourable effects. The entire value of bilateral commerce in 2019 was USD 7.02 billion. With USD 4.257 billion in exports to Brazil and USD 2.763 billion in imports from Brazil, India had a USD 1.494 billion trade surplus. India was Brazil's largest trading partner in 2019.

Defence Relations

In 2003, India and Brazil signed a contract for defence collaboration. The agreement asks for collaboration in defence-related areas, particularly in the areas of R&D, acquisition, and logistics support, as well as joint military exercises and training. Following this, on December 24, 2007, the Indian Embassy in Brasilia established a Defense Wing, and on April 14, 2009, the Brazilian Embassy in New Delhi opened its Defense Wing. Joint Defence Committee (JDC) Meetings are a formalised forum for defence cooperation.

Cultural Relations

India's culture, religion, performing arts, and philosophy are highly regarded in Brazil. The early manifestations of Indian culture in Brazil were spiritual, philosophical, and religious. Indian folkloric identities and celebrations are similar to the joyful and colourful nature of Brazilian north and northeastern Brazil's traditional dances and parades. Bharatanatyam was the first traditional Indian art form to arrive in Brazil; Odissi, Kathak, and Kuchipudi followed this. All around Brazil, there are a lot of groups that teach yoga.

Brazilian Indian Community

There are 5000 Indians residing in Brazil; most of them reside in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Manaus. The community is mostly made up of businesspeople and professionals, while some scientists and researchers work in the disciplines of biotechnology, physics, agriculture, and space exploration. In Sao Paulo, there is an Indian Association that plans celebrations for public holidays and neighbourhood festivals.