Source: News on Air
Context: Brazil has conferred its highest civilian honour — Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross — on Prime Minister of India during his official visit.
About Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross:
- What it is?
- Brazil’s highest civilian award, exclusively given to foreign dignitaries for exceptional service to Brazil.
- Awarded by:
- Conferred by the President of Brazil, who serves as the ex officio Grand Master of the Order.
- History & Significance:
- Founded on 1 December 1822 by Emperor Pedro I to commemorate Brazil’s independence and coronation.
- Re-established in 1932 by President Getúlio Vargas as a republican order to honor foreign heads of state and global leaders.
- Symbolizes Brazil’s diplomatic goodwill, especially towards Global South
- About India–Brazil Agreements:
- Defence & Security Cooperation: Signed a pact to jointly combat terrorism, transnational organized crime, and enhance strategic coordination.
- Digital Public Infrastructure: MoU on exchange of digital solutions, including the adoption of India’s UPI-like model in Brazil.
- Renewable Energy & Sustainability: Joint agreement to collaborate in renewables, green technology, and energy transition.
- Agriculture & Food Security: MoU between India’s ICAR and Brazil’s EMBRAPA for agri-tech, seed R&D, and climate-resilient farming.
- Intellectual Property (IPR): Signed MoU between DPIIT (India) and Brazil’s Ministry of Trade to strengthen IPR policy exchange and innovation.
- Classified Information Exchange: Framework for mutual protection of sensitive information in defence, science, and technology sectors.
- Bilateral Trade Monitoring Mechanism: Institutionalized a ministerial-level mechanism to monitor and boost trade, commerce, and investment flows.
