Delhi

Two right-wing nationalist leaders, beset by international criticism and domestic controversies, will meet to discuss more pleasant topics: economic and cooperation agreements.

Jair Bolsonaro arrives this Friday (24th) in New Delhi, where he will meet the next day with the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and will announce almost 20 bilateral agreements.

The empathy between the president and the prime minister contrasts with the political atmosphere of their respective countries.

This Modi covers the British magazine The Economist, with the title "Intolerant India: how Modi is endangering the greatest democracy in the world."

A sign welcoming Jair Bolsonaro - Patricia Campos Mello

The criticisms stem from the wave of protests following the approval, in December, of a law that makes it easier for immigrants to obtain citizenship - provided they are not Muslims. This was seen as discriminatory and another step in the prime minister's Hindu domination project.

Bolsonaro, in recent weeks, had to deal with a now ex-secretary imitating the speech of Nazi Joseph Goebbels, an education minister grappling with errors at the Enem and tensions with Sergio Moro, justice minister and potential rival in the 2022 election.

In New Delhi, none of this will be on the agenda. For Modi and Bolsonaro, it will be a blessing to change the subject.

The two will meet at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Saturday (25), for a series of meetings.

The main announcement will be the Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreement, which will provide more legal certainty for Indian investors in Brazil - and Brazilians in India.

The Social Security agreement will also be signed, which allows executives to count the time they have worked abroad in their pensions. For companies, the change will eliminate double social security contributions.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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