New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS): The Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Sunday left here on a four-day visit of Brazil in an effort to strengthen defence ties between India and the South American nation.

Raha, who is also the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, will meet the chiefs of the Brazilian army and air force. He would also interact with the chief of joint staff of the armed forces and Defence Minister Jose Aldo Rebelo Figueiredo.

"The visit is aimed at enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in defence-related matters," an official statement said.

"Additionally, there are plans for the two countries to engage with each other on a wide array of issues under the aegis of the BRICS grouping."

Both India and Brazil are members of the five-nation BRICS grouping of emerging economies. Russia, China and South Africa are the other members.

During his Brazil tour, Raha will visit Embraer Headquarters and the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology in Sao Paulo.

At Manaus, he will visit the Centre for Jungle Warfare Training and the Amazon Military Command Headquarters, where he would witness riverine operations by the Brazilian navy and marines in the Amazon river.

"A visit to the Integrated Air Defence and Air Traffic Control Centre in Manaus is also on the cards. Towards the end of his tour, Air Chief Marshal Raha would be visiting the Superior War College at Rio De Janeiro that is the Brazilian equivalent of India's National Defence College," the statement added.