Manmohan, others to brainstorm on Iran sanctions at BRIC, IBSA

Brasilia, Apr 14 (PTI) India's Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and leaders of China, Russia and Brazil will brainstorm
on several issues, including whether to toe the US line to
back UN sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear
programme, as they gather here for the four-way BRIC and IBSA
summit.
Iran's nuclear issue and the controversy surrounding
it will also be discussed under the BRIC format in Brasilia
by Singh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Chinese President
Hu Jintao and Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
The leaders will review the current scenario of global
economy, climate change, terrorism and also discuss modalities
for commercial and economic cooperation among the member
countries. The IBSA Summit will take place Thursday while the
BRIC meet is slated for April 16.
Terrorism is also expected to figure prominently in
the meet of the world leaders.
Iran will be part of "focussed agenda" of the BRIC
Summit for the first time, said Parbati Sen Vyas, Secretary
(Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The issue will also be discussed under the IBSA format
by Singh, Lula and South African President Jacob Zuma, said
Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) in the Ministry.
Besides Iran, the 2nd BRIC Summit will discuss issues
like international financial crisis, climate change, UN
reforms and Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake
recently.
After the IBSA Summit, India, Brazil and South Africa
are expected to sign two trilateral MoUs. These are in the
areas of solar energy and science and technology.
Iran will be part of "focussed agenda" of the BRIC
Summit for the first time, Parbati Sen Vyas, Secretary
(Economic Relations) in the MEA had said.
The issue will also be discussed under the IBSA format
by Singh, Lula and South African President Jacob Zuma, Vivek
Katju, Secretary (West) in the Ministry had said.
The US, UK, France and Germany have been pressing the
BRIC to support fresh sanctions against Iran.
Brazil is a temporary UN Security Council member with
no veto power, but it is one of Iran's biggest defenders at
the world body's top table -- and therefore the focus for
lobbying by the Washington and other Western capitals.
PTI SAZ
MRD


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