Lula said Brazil had been severely criticized for focusing on strengthening its ties with South American, Asian and African countries. But he believes boosting South-South trade is important.

Diplomacy is not an easy job. Unexpected developments can take diplomats, foreign ministers and even accompanying journalists to different parts of the world: The foreign minister is on just such a mission to spread Turkey's perspective on regional peace.

India is satisfied with the outcome of the recently concluded BRIC summit in Brazilian capital Brasilia, which has taken on significance as its four members stressed the importance of building a fairer international order and fight against terrorism, said some Indian experts on Sunday.

THE Smurfs, the Little Mermaid, Bollywood stars, tenor Andrea Bocelli and the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil are part of a colourful diplomatic offensive to win Chinese hearts at this year's World Expo.

In recent months, the 64-year-old former labor leader has been condemned by anti-Castro dissidents in Havana, shunned by Israel's foreign minister in Jerusalem, blasted by a human-rights group in Geneva, and admonished by U.S. and European leaders over Brazil's support of Iran's uranium-enrichment plans.

Calderón raised eyebrows, however, when, to emphasize his point, he mentioned Brazil, saying the emerging South American power is perceived abroad in far more favorable terms than Mexico, in part because its own citizens speak well of it.

Since early 2009, it seems that Brazil, and President da Silva personally, have taken on an active diplomatic offensive in the Middle East, centered around Iran's international position.

He is visiting Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan ahead of a more controversial visit to Iran in May. While in the region Lula will throw his country's growing diplomatic weight behind the Middle East peace process.