India, Brazil ink deal on cooperation in environment

India and Brazil Wednesday signed an agreement in Brasilia on cooperation in the field of environment, the external affairs ministry said.

The two countries mutually agreed to extend cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, afforestation in arid areas, water conservation and protection of wetlands, waste management including agricultural waste and electronic waste, waste water management, use of bio-fuels, air an water quality management and environmental information systems.

"The parties shall cooperate in the field of environmental protection on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit," said a ministry statement.

The cooperation will be in the form of exchange of information and documentation and collaborative projects.

The memorandum of understanding further obliges India and Brazil to "encourage contacts between government agencies, academic institutions and private economic enterprises of both countries interested in cooperation, including the signing of contracts and working agreements".

The two countries further agreed to set up an Indo-Brazil Joint Working Group on Environment to see that the contents of the MoU are implemented.