Date:29/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/29/stories/2004012907271100.htm

National

We can change the rules of the world: Brazil President

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, JAN. 28. Unleashing an attack on the world's developed nations, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, today insisted that the developing nations should cultivate self-respect if they expect to be respected by the economically advanced countries who dominate the global economy.

"In my trade union days, the first lesson I learned is that nobody has respect for someone who has no self-respect. This is true in the case of nations too,'' said Mr. Lula da Silva, while addressing an august gathering of industrialists and businessmen organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry here.

In the globalised world, the economic powers speak about free trade and globalisation, but "when we put our products in their countries, there are so many obstacles.'' "I am putting into practice what we said before our elections. I like trade and business but I will do it in terms of equality, and development should be sustainable.''

"We come to a conclusion that India has a lot of similarities with Brazil. Then why don't we create a strategic relationship'' he asked.

Mr. Lula da Silva said the Foreign Minister of Brazil would be visiting India again in March to participate in talks preparatory to signing a tri-party agreement between South Africa, India and Brazil. Brazil plans to expand its trade and business relationship with other nations such as Russia and China and the sub-Saharan African countries.

He stressed the need for expanding the business-centred relationship between countries still outside the magic circle defined by entities like G-7. Twenty developing countries represent more than half the world's population, the Brazilian President observed, but the developed nations try to overpower them. "We (these 20 countries) can together change the rules of the world. We want to buy what we need and we should be able to sell what we want, and we want to be treated as we treat others,'' he said, adding "it is very clear to me we have to change the trade geography of planet earth.''

The Brazilian President preferred Brazil to be the corridor for India's trade with other South American countries. South America altogether constitutes a market of $1trillion with its 220 million inhabitants. Brazil will organise a trade show in India this November.