Brasilia, Sep 13 (IANS) India and Brazil have decided to open cultural centres in New Delhi and Sao Paulo and hold events next year to showcase their rich art and culture.

"People-to-people contacts and forging of institutional and academic linkages will also be fostered by the two sides in a systematic manner," said a joint communiqué issued by the two sides Wednesday.

The decisions were taken during talks here between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva who emphasised the need to cement cultural linkages in addition to economic and strategic ties.

Agreements were also signed to hold "Weeks of Indian Culture in Brazil" and "Weeks of Brazilian Culture in India" next year, the communiqué said.

"They reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a qualitative upgrading of the broad based bilateral relationship between the two large democracies that share a multicultural and pluralistic ethos and common developmental aspirations."