Narendra Modi and Michel Temer

Benaulim (Goa), (IANS) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked Brazilian President Michel Temer for “understanding India’s aspiration” for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and for support to India’s actions against terrorism.

Modi, who met the Brazilian President on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here, where the two countries inked four MoUs, including on investment cooperation, also thanked Brazil for support for early adoption of the key anti-terror initiative at the UN – Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

“We thank Brazil for understanding India’s aspiration for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group,” the Prime Minister said.

“We deeply appreciate Brazil’s support for India’s actions in combating terrorism”.

“India and Brazil have agreed that world must come together to fight this menace (terrorism) without distinction or discrimination,” he said.

“We will continue to work with Brazil as an important partner in early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention Against International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations,” Modi added.

In his media statement, the Prime Minister described Brazil as among India’s most important economic partners in Latin America.

“The bilateral relations between India and Brazil have grown for the better. We have increased interaction at all levels,” Modi.

“Brazil is among our most important economic partners in Latin America. We have made progress in opening new areas of cooperation during this visit in drug regulation, agricultural research and cyber security,” Modi said.

He added: “Though separated by geography, Brazil and India are natural partners linked by common values of democracy, rule of law and shared aspirations for development, peace and prosperity.”

He said bilaterally and multilaterally, the partnership between India and Brazil is filled with possibilities that India is keen to harvest.

Modi said he had “sought President Temer’s support in facilitating greater market access and investment opportunities for Indian products and companies” and that he was thankful for the Brazilian President’s positive consideration.

“We have also made progress in opening new areas of cooperation during this visit in drug regulation, agricultural research and on cyber security issues,” Modi said, adding that both sides have agreed to work closely at the United Nations, the G-20, G-4, WTO, BRICS, IBSA and other important platforms.

The four MoUs inked are in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry, on pharma products regulation, on cattle genomics and assisted reproductive technologies and on investment cooperation and facilitation treaty.