CAA, Kashmir internal issues of India; dynamic democracy will find solutions: Brazilian envoy

amended citizenship law and situation in Kashmir are internal issues of India and country with its dynamic democracy will find solutions to se "challenges", Brazilian envoy Andre Aranha Correa do Lago said on Thursday. envoy told PTI in an interview that his country was following developments on two issues "with great interest".

His comments on two issues comes a day ahe of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's maiden visit to India after he assumed power in January last year following a sweeping electoral victory. Lago said over 15 agreements will be signed during Brazilian president's visit, including one on investment protection and facilitation treaty.

"se (Citizenship (Amendment) Act and Kashmir situation) are two internal issues of India that obviously we are following with great interest. Naturally, in conversations probably Indian government will bring elements about this but we see this very clearly as internal questions of India," he said.

"India being such a dynamic democracy with such fantastic institutions and civil society, we kw that with this a very open society, you will discuss and you (will) go ahe with solutions for se challenges," Brazilian envoy said.

He me remarks when asked if CAA and Kashmir issue could be discussed during talks. His remarks comes days after envoys of 15 countries, including US, visited Kashmir valley where y interacted with select political representatives, civil society members as well as military top brass. Brazilian envoy Lago was also scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir, however, he h backed out because of his preoccupation.

India has faced criticism over its amended citizenship law, including from Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Moham. CAA seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted n-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Banglesh. Brazilian President Bolsonaro will on Friday begin a four-day visit to India, primarily as chief guest on Republic Day and also to explore ways to boost tre ties at a time both large ecomies are hit by slowdowns.

Highlighting that senior ministers, representatives of private sector and 80 businessmen will be coming with Brazilian president, Lago said visit will see a "true redesigning of relationship" between India and Brazil. On wher slowdown of Indian ecomy was a matter of concern, Brazilian envoy said it was t as India will probably grow at above five per cent.

"We are struggling to grow at 2 per cent. We are country that has been facing more difficult times. We h two years of recession and two years of very low growth, but we have a very good perspective of growing above 2 percent this year," Lago asserted.

"So, it is t a question of concern, it has to be interpreted as an opportunity because India wants to grow obviously and we believe... With many of se discussions many opportunities and foreign investment, it will be good for growth of two countries," he said.

President Bolsonaro will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind separately on Saturday. Asked about nda for talks, Brazilian envoy said it will be wide-ranging and an action plan for strategic partnership will be launched during visit.

"Brazil and India have a strategic partnership since 2006, but we have decided to revaluate (our ties) and we have seen many new areas in which we could deepen relationship," Lago said.

He said main focus of talks between leers of two countries will be on cooperation in investment and tre. Brazilian envoy said cooperation in biofuels and issues related to defence industry are also going to figure high on nda for two countries. "We are going to have first meeting of our businesses in defence industry on both sides," he said. On a trip like this, re are many dimensions like symbolic, political and ecomic, envoy said.

" symbolic dimension is hour to be invited for Republic Day. political dimension is that re will be in-depth discussions between two governments during state visit and ecomic dimension will be business meeting on Monday," he said.

Brazilian president will witness Republic Day pare on January 26 as chief guest. On January 27, Bolsonaro will dress a group of Indian and Brazilian business leers at India-Brazil Business Forum, according to Ministry of External Affairs. India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in last few years. volume of bilateral tre was USD 8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included USD 3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and USD 4.4 million as imports by India. Both governments feel re is huge potential to enhance bilateral tre furr.

Indian investments in Brazil were around USD 6 billion and Brazilian investments in India are estimated at USD 1 billion in 2018. Brazilian investments in India are mainly in automobile, IT, mining, energy and biofuels sectors. India has invested in Brazil's IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors. two countries signed an agreement in 2003 for defence cooperation. It was ratified by Brazil in 2006. agreement provides for cooperation in defence related matters, especially in field of research and development, acquisition and logistic support.

Both countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of UN Security Council. Prime Minister Modi met Bolsonaro on sidelines of G20 Summit in Osaka in June last year during which a raft of issues of bilateral importance were discussed.