I. India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum:
1. Formation of IBSA:
The Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa met in Brasilia in June 2003 and issued the “Brasilia Declaration” announcing the formation of the India, Brazil and South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA).
2. First Trilateral Commission Meeting in New Delhi:
The first Trilateral Commission meeting was held in New Delhi on March 6, 2004. It was decided not to allow new members into IBSA. Countries like China, Russia and Egypt had shown considerable interest in entering the forum
3. Significance of IBSA:
A. South-South Forum:
IBSA is a “South-South” forum aimed at encouraging cooperation in poverty alleviation, coordination at the WTO, increase in trilateral trade and cooperation in defence matters.
B. Platform for Concrete Action:
According to leading South African journal, IBSA is a not a talking shop and is intended to be a platform for concrete action in key areas.
C. Economic Power Bloc:
In real or purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India is the World’s fourth largest economy, with a GDP of $2.93 trillion; Brazil was ninth ($1.27 trillion) and South Africa 17th ($488 billion). The combined GDP was almost $ 4.69 trillion, not far behind China ($5.1 trillion) and the US ($9.7 trillion). In terms of Industrial output, Brazil ranks 11th, India 13th and South Africa 37th. In agriculture India and Brazil occupy the top ranks in the world. The three large economies have complementary strengths which could be utilised to mutual advantage.
D. Each Member of IBSA is the largest Democracy in its Region:
The South African Journal points out that each member of IBSA is the largest and most diversified developing country in its region. Thus, IBSA brings together the largest democracies in the three continents.
E. Support for India and Brazil for Security Council Seat:
South Africa has emphasised that it would support the entry of India and Brazil to the UN Security Council as permanent members.
F. Defence Ties:
Defence Cooperation Part of IBSA Agenda:
The defence cooperation is part of IBSA agenda, according to the “Plan of Action” issued by the Foreign Ministers after their Trilateral Commission meeting in Delhi, in March 2004.
Defence Cooperation Mutually Beneficial:
The Ministers agreed that the defence cooperation would be mutually beneficial to foster interaction amongst them. It was noted that their defence industries had developed excellence in diverse areas, which could offer a broad range of potential opportunities for cooperation in defence production, co-development, trade and joint marketing.
Promoting International Security:
The Defence Ministers of IBSA agreed that in the interest of promoting international security, the three countries would cooperate towards promoting maritime and air safety, including combating illegal weapons and narcotics traffic and maritime transit of toxic chemicals and radioactive waste across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
G. Cooperation in Energy Security:
Analysts point out that energy security is one of the areas where the advantages of cooperation were evident. Brazil is the world leader in the use of ethanol, South Africa has developed coal gasification technology and a synthetic fuel industry and India has expertise in wind and solar energy. Thus, IBSA can effectively utilise these strengths.
II. Background:
1. First Summit of IBSA (Brasilia, September 13-14, 2006):
A. Historic Summit:
The first Summit of IBSA held in Brasilia on September 13-14, 2006 was attended by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the South African President Thabo Mbeki. Dr. Singh described the Summit as "historic" and the idea of the grouping as "without precedent".
B. Focus of the Summit:
The focus of the Summit was on the following issues:
Issues of global concern including energy security Global terrorism Sustainable development
2. Second IBSA Summit (Tshwane, South Africa, October 2007):
A. Tshwane Declaration:
Comprehensive Reform of the UN Needed:
The second IBSA Summit was held in Tshwane, South Africa, in October 2007. The Tshwane Declaration issued at the end of the Summit stressed that the international system cannot be reordered meaningfully without a comprehensive reform of the UN. IBSA was committed to UN reforms with emphasis on the expansion of the Security Council. Inter-governmental negotiations on the reform of the Security Council must begin forthwith, according to the Declaration. It also reaffirmed the need for concerted efforts by the member-States towards revitalisation of the General Assembly.
IBSA Committed to Achieving Balanced and Successful Results from Doha Round of WTO Talks:
The Declaration noted that the Doha Round of global trade negotiations were entering a critical stage and the developed countries must agree to substantial and effective cuts in their trade distorting subsidies. The leaders of IBSA - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the South African President Thabo Mbeki - committed themselves to working towards securing a balanced, equitable and successful outcome of the Doha Round of Talks.
Improving Trade Ties - Need for a Free Trade Arrangement (FTA):
The leaders of the three countries felt that IBSA was yet to make substantial progress in improving trade among the tri-nation grouping. They urged the need to realise early a free trade arrangement between India, South Africa Currency Union (SACU) and Mercosur (Southern American Common Market). A trilateral Ministerial meeting would be held in this respect in 2008.
A trilateral trade target of $15 billion was set to be achieved by 2010.
The International Community Must Make Concerted and Cooperative Action to Eradicate Terrorism:
The Declaration noted that terrorism was one of the most serious threats to global peace and security. It stressed that the international community must make concerted and cooperative action to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.
The Declaration aimed at identifying commonalities in socio-economic areas and working out common approaches to mitigate deficiencies
.
B. Seven Agreements Signed to Enhance Trade and Social Development:
India Brazil and South Africa signed seven agreements during the second Summit to enhance trade and social development. The pacts would help the three countries respond to challenges of social inequity and economic deprivation among substantial sections of their populations.
III. Third Summit of the IBSA Dialogue Forum (New Delhi, October 15, 2008):
1. 50-Point Delhi Summit Declaration:
2. Agreement to Collaborate on the Global Financial Crisis:
India, Brazil and South Africa agreed to collaborate closely on the international financial crisis and rise in energy and food prices. They also decided to instruct their Finance Ministers and Governors of Central Banks to convene a meeting in order to establish a coordinated mechanism.
3. Stress on Renewed Efforts to Reform Institutes of International Governance:
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasised on a renewed effort to reform institutes of international governance like the UN and the G-8. He also stressed on the need to work purposefully towards the successful conclusion of the Doha round of WTO trade talks promoting development and inclusive growth.
4. India Circulated Paper on Cooperation in Agriculture within IBSA:
India circulated a paper on possibilities in cooperation in agriculture within IBSA. The paper also included suggestions on dealing with the food security. IBSA has Working Groups on Energy and Agriculture which would carry forward the discussions the leaders had at the IBSA summit.
5. India Thanks Brazil and South Africa for their Support to India's Civil Nuclear Cooperation:
The Summit discussed the role of clean energy in dealing with the energy requirements. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh thanked Brazil and South Africa for their support to opening up civil nuclear cooperation for India.
6. IBSA Welcomes the Approval of the IAEA India Specific Nuclear Safeguards and the NSG Waiver:
The IBSA summit welcomed the consensus decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approving the India-specific nuclear safeguards and the waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to enable full civil nuclear cooperation between India and other countries.
7. Trade and Investment Linkages Growing in IBSA:
Dr. Singh stated that trade and investment linkages among the three countries of IBSA were growing. He stressed that the current international financial crisis had made it much more important for the three countries to explore each other's markets for mutually beneficial opportunities.
8. Trilateral Trade Target of $25 Billion by 2015:
The IBSA leaders agreed to set up a trilateral trade target of US $25 billion by 2015. It was also stated that the 2010 target of $15 billion was expected to be achieved. The appropriate financial authorities in each country would be instructed to explore new mechanisms to facilitate and increase trade.
9. Significance of the Third IBSA Summit:
Completed the First Cycle of IBSA Annual Summits:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pointed out that the third summit in New Delhi completed the first cycle of IBSA annual summits. He also emphasised that the IBSA dialogue forum had covered considerable distance since its inception in 2003.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the third IBSA summit.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pointed out that the third summit in New Delhi completed the first cycle of IBSA annual summits. He also emphasised that the IBSA dialogue forum had covered considerable distance since its inception in 2003.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the third IBSA summit.
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