Strengthening India-Brazil defence ties

New Delhi, Feb 8 (ANI): Brazilian Defence Minister Celso Amorim met with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss strengthening of bilateral military ties.

India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon also attended the meeting, which took place at Dr. Singh's residence.

Both countries, which have large armies, are looking forward to reduce their technological dependence on Western nations.

Amorim and Manmohan Singh were expected to discuss scientific and technological cooperation in military hardware and software development.

The topic of naval cooperation with a focus on plans to build aircraft carriers and Scorpene-class submarines was also likely to be discussed.

Brazil and India are expected to increase exchanges between their respective military academies.

As major emerging economies, Brazil and India are both members of the BRICS group of nations, along with Russia, China and South Africa.

Amorim's visit comes just weeks ahead of the fourth BRICS summit, to be hosted by New Delhi on March 29. (ANI)