Addressing a gathering after being conferred Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by the Delhi University, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff pitched for reforms of the UNSC, saying it is hard to imagine an international debate or a discussion forum where the views of India and Brazil are not valued and even called for.

She said here the two countries were increasingly called upon to perform a "central role" in addressing the main issues on the international agenda.

The Honorary D.Litt was conferred on her by Vice President and Chancellor of Delhi University Hamid Ansari for her contributions to the polity in Brazil and her role in deepening bilateral ties.

"This (economic) crisis started in the developed world. It will not be overcome simply through measures of austerity, fiscal consolidations and depreciation of the labour force; let alone through quantitative easing policies that have triggered what can only be described as a monetary tsunami, have led to a currency war and have introduced new and perverse forms of protectionism in the world," she said.

Rousseff, the first woman President of Brazil, said the two countries have worked for the reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council.

In her 20-minute acceptance speech, the Brazialian leader invoked Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and quoted Rabindranath Tagore's famous lines 'Where the mind is without fear'.

Rousseff said both countries have their say when it comes to facing the serious economic and financial crisis that remains a source of concern given the impact it has had on the outlook for global growth.

On matters of peace and security, she said Brazil and India have a highly significant contribution to make towards strengthening international cooperation in the context of the multi-polar world of today.

"We attach priority to dialogue and diplomacy and we reject unilateral actions and doctrines that emphasise the use of force, prejudiced and intolerant views. Our active involvement in major international debates has contributed to making global governance more democratic, legitimate and effective," she said.

She said India and Brazil shared the challenge of ensuring a significant improvement in the living standards of the citizens particularly who still live in poverty and that much progress has been made in that direction.

Both countries share the commitment of building a more democratic international system that is rooted in international law and geared towards cooperation and peace, she said.

On her meetings with President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Singh on Friday, she said she would review the vast agenda and deepen the dialogue on economic and political issues.

"I am convinced that these meetings will further add to enhance our relations," she said.

She also thanked the Delhi University for its interest in receiving Brazilian students and researchers.