Brasilia: During the visit of Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to Brazil, a landmark tripartite MoU was signed
between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
on Exchange of Information related to maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines
& other naval vessels, as per the spokesperson of the Indian Navy.
According to the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance
life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics &
training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies & industry
of both nations.
The MoU will further boost Defence R&D collaboration and
drive technological innovation in sustaining Scorpène-class submarines and
other naval platforms.
The visit of CNS Tripathi to Brazil comes shortly after
a 40-member delegation from Brazil's Naval War College was hosted at the Naval
Headquarters here in the national capital in November this year. The visit of
the delegation saw discussions on enhancing the bilateral training cooperation
in the maritime domain.
Earlier, a Brazilian defence delegation headed by
Admiral Guilherme Da Silva Coasta, Head of Culture and Education of Joint Staff
of Brazilian Armed Forces, visited the College of Defence Management,
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil. He
and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap
to strengthen further bilateral ties over the next decade around five priority
pillars, which included defence and security.
The Joint statement issued by the MEA on his visit noted
that the countries recognised convergent views and strategic complementarities
in defence and security matters between Brazil and India.
"The leaders welcomed the growing defence cooperation,
including participation in joint military exercises and the exchange of
high-level defence delegations.
They expressed satisfaction with the signing of
the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information,
which will enable deeper cooperation in various strategic areas. They also
welcome the establishment of a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue as a platform
to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and
national perspectives on cybersecurity issues".