On July 8, 2025, the Indian PM’s State Visit to Brazil (the first by an Indian PM in nearly 60 years) strengthened the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership.

• The Indian PM conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. 
• This is the 26th international honour bestowed upon the Indian PM Modi by a foreign government since he assumed office in May 2014.

Key Highlights of the Bilateral Meeting

About India-Brazil Relations

• Historical Link: The connection is about five centuries old.
  • Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Brazil and Goa, both outposts of the Portuguese imperial empire, had bilateral exchanges reflected in food, clothing, and local traditions.
  • The bulk of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin. Example: The popularity of a Brazilian tele-novella called ‘Caminho das Indias’ (Paths of India) enhanced awareness of India in Brazil.
• Political Cooperation: Both countries cooperate closely within BRICS, IBSA, G4, G20, and the broader multilateral framework of the United Nations.
  • UN Security Council: India and Brazil (with Germany and Japan) jointly pursue permanent membership in the UNSC.
  • Global South Cooperation: Both play pivotal roles in South-South cooperation.
  • Brazil’s reciprocal multilateralism aligns with India’s strategic autonomy.
  • Strategic Partnership since 2006, based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to economic growth with social inclusion.
  • The Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro visited India (Jan 2020) as Republic Day Chief Guest; signed 15 MoUs across sectors.
    • The Indian PM Narendra Modi visited Brazil in 2014, 2019 (BRICS), and 2024 (G20 in Rio).
    • The Brazilian President Lula da Silva visited India in 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2023 (G20).
  • Diplomatic ties established in 1948; both countries opened embassies the same year.
    • India initially opened its Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, later moved to Brasilia in 1971.
    • India has a Consulate General in São Paulo; Brazil has one in Mumbai.
    • In 2023, India and Brazil celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations.
    • During the Cold War, both opposed superpower dominance. In 1967, they condemned the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Parliamentary Exchanges: Active India-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group and Friendship Front in Brazil.
    • Speaker Om Birla led delegation to BRICS Parliamentary Forum (Brasilia, June 2025).
    • Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha participated in the Parliamentary Speakers’ (P20) Summit (Brasilia, Nov 2024).
    • Dr. Shashi Tharoor led a delegation (June 2025) to discuss cross-border terrorism post Pahalgam attack.
  • Institutional Mechanisms: Regular mechanisms include Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM), Joint Defence Commission, India-Brazil Business Leaders’ Forum, Economic & Financial Dialogue.
    • 9th JCM held in New Delhi (Aug 2024)
    • 2nd FOC in Brasilia (June 2023)
    • 6th TMM in Brasília (Oct 2023)
• Economic Relations: Brazil is one of India’s top trading partners in Latin America.
  • In 2021, India became Brazil’s 5th largest trading partner; trade rose 63.5% to USD 11.53 billion.
  • Between 2017–2022, Brazilian exports to India grew at 5.68% annually.
  • Main Brazilian exports: Soybean Oil, Crude Petroleum, Gold.
  • Main Indian exports: Organic chemicals, diesel, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods.
  • 2024-25 Bilateral Trade accounted USD 12.20 billion
  • Indian exports: USD 6.77 billion
  • Indian imports: USD 5.43 billion
  • Indian investments in Brazil: Over USD 6 billion
    • Companies: Infosys, TCS, ONGC Videsh, Bajaj, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, etc.
  • Brazilian investments in India: Around USD 1 billion
    • Companies: Vale, Stefanini, WEG, Dedini, Fanem, Gerdau, etc.
  • Oil & Gas Cooperation: Brazil is India’s largest upstream oil investment destination in the Americas.
    • Indian PSUs (OVL & BPRL) invested USD 3.5 billion in 4 oil blocks.
    • Key projects: BM-SEAL-11 and BM-SEAL-4 with Petrobras.
    • Joint Working Group on Oil & Gas constituted in 2020.
• Defence & Security Cooperation: Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2003, ratified in 2006.
  • Established Joint Defence Committee (JDC) as a mechanism for engagement.
  • India and Brazil initiated a 2+2 Political-Military Dialogue in 2024.
  • Numerous high-level exchanges; 14 chiefs’ visits in recent years.
  • Since 2007, 134 defence officers trained between both countries.
  • Strategic Dialogue since 2006 covers regional and global concerns.
  • Treaties: Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
  • Cybersecurity MoU (2020) signed between CERT-In and Brazil’s cyber agency.
  • Cooperation in cyber issues via BRICS and IBSA forums.
• Technological & Technical Cooperation: Brazil participated in Global Tech Summit (April 2025).
  • The Brazilian Ministry of Science & Tech visited India in May 2025.
  • Meetings held with NITI Aayog, C-DAC, and ISPIRT, a think tank.
  • Interest in AI, 5G/6G, data protection, supercomputing, quantum tech.
  • Technical Cooperation & Scholarships: Brazil is covered under Indian Council of Cultural relations (ICCR) & AYUSH scholarships.
    • 107 Brazilians trained under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program (ITEC) across various domains.
    • Diplomats trained at Sushma Swaraj Institute; others attended fellowships and Global South Young Diplomats Forum.
• Soft Power: Brazilian Post issued a commemorative stamp (2014) on 100 years of Indian cinema.
  • India was Focus Country at São Paulo International Film Festival (2024).
  • Padma Shri awarded to:
    • Prof. Lia Diskin (Social Work)
    • Ms. Gloria Arieira (Literature & Education)
    • Jonas Masetti (2025), Vedanta teacher and founder of Vishva Vidya Gurukulam
  • Prof. Dilip Loundo received Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2023) for cultural promotion.
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s Influence: Mahatma Gandhi is highly respected in Brazil.
    • Statues erected in Rio, São Paulo, Brasília, Salvador, Londrina, Cuiaba.
    • Filhos de Gandhy in Salvador honors Gandhi through annual street parades.
    • Gandhi bust inaugurated in Brasília on 9 January 2020.
  • Indian Community in Brazil: Approximately 4,000 Indians reside in Brazil (mainly São Paulo, Rio, Manaus).
    • Comprise mainly professionals, researchers, and businesspersons.
    • The Indian Association of São Paulo organizes community events and national day celebrations.
  • Cultural Cooperation: High interest in Indian culture, dance, spirituality, yoga, and Ayurveda.
    • The Brazilian Association of Ayurveda (ABRA) has offices in 9 states.
    • The first Indian Cultural Centre in Latin America opened in São Paulo (2011).
    • Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) signed for 2020–2024.
    • In July 2024, Yoga was included in the public school curriculum in Mato Grosso do Sul.
• Other Emerging Areas: Both are collaborating on various following areas:
  • Bio-Energy Cooperation: MoU signed in 2020 during President Bolsonaro’s visit.
    • Joint Working Group on Bioenergy established; met in Aug 2021.
    • Brazil is a co-founder of the Global Biofuel Alliance (2023).
    • Policy alignment: India’s National Biofuel Policy and Brazil’s RenovaBio.
    • Bioenergy & Sustainability: Collaboration on flex-fuel vehicles, ethanol, and clean energy.
    • Environmental: Scope for joint efforts in biodiversity preservation and deforestation control.
  • Agriculture, Food Processing & Animal Husbandry: Indian breeds like Gir and Kankrej form the genetic base of Brazilian cattle.
    • Cooperation in training, technology transfer, and capacity building.
    • India exports: Spices, agrochemicals (USD 1B), cocoa, guar meal, herbal products.
    • Imports from Brazil: Sugar (USD 1.9B), vegetable oil (~USD 1B), cotton, pulses, beverages.
    • MoU signed (2024) between FSSAI and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Health & Traditional Medicine: MoU on Health Cooperation signed in 2020.
    • Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting (2022) explored technology transfer, surveillance, joint R&D.
    • Brazil officially recognizes Ayurveda and Yoga under Policy of Integrative and Complimentary Practices (PNPIC).
    • MoU on Traditional Medicine signed in 2020, first meeting held in Nov 2022.

Significance of Brazil for India

• Strategic & Political: Established in 2006, one of the few in Latin America, reflecting deep engagement across defense, energy, and governance.
  • Global Governance Cooperation: Both advocate multilateralism, UNSC reform, and a rules-based international order through platforms like BRICS, G-20, IBSA, and G4.
  • South-South Cooperation: As leading democracies of the Global South, both coordinate on development, democratic values, and inclusive global leadership.
  • Combating Global Threats: Shared stance on zero tolerance for terrorism and cooperation on transnational crimes.
• Economic Growth: Brazil is a critical supplier of minerals and hydrocarbons, such as crude petroleum oil that are essential for India’s economic growth. 
  • Largest Trading Partner in Latin America: Trade stands at $13 billion, with a target of $20 billion.
  • Lithium & Mineral Security: Brazil offers a reliable lithium supply vital for India’s EV target (30% by 2030).
  • Biofuels & Energy Cooperation: Joint efforts in ethanol blending, green hydrogen, and renewables support India’s energy transition.
  • India-MERCOSUR PTA: Facilitates broader market access in South America.
• Environmental & Climate Cooperation: Both advocate equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) principles at global climate forums.
  • Initiatives:
    • Brazil: Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF).
    • India: Mission LiFE, Green Credit Initiative.
• Regional and Multilateral Leverage: Brazil serves as a strategic entry point for India’s outreach in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• • Support in International Fora: Brazil supports India’s stance on counter-terrorism, development finance, WTO reforms, etc.
  • Voice of the Global South: India and Brazil coordinate closely to represent developing world perspectives in global decision-making.

Challenges in the bilateral relationship between India and Brazil

• Trade Competition and Fiction: Both are major exporters of agricultural products such as sugar and meat that can create competition and trade friction between the two countries.
• Sugarcane Subsidy: Brazil complaints to the World Trade Organisation about India’s subsidies to sugarcane farmers that has led to tensions between the two countries.
  • Brazil concerns over India’s agricultural policies that could negatively impact on its economic interests. 
• Limited People-to-People Contact: Educational, cultural, and business exchanges remain modest. The Indian diaspora in Brazil is small, and public familiarity with each other’s society is low.
• Limited Preferential Trade Agreements: Absence of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or broader Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) limits deeper market access and long-term investment flows.
• China Factor: China is Brazil’s largest trading partner and a major investor. Its deep economic presence can limit Brazil’s strategic alignment with India and intensify market competition.
• Differences in Strategic Priorities: While both are emerging powers, Brazil focuses on Latin America and ties with China, while India is oriented toward the Indo-Pacific. This divergence affects coordination in forums like BRICS and G4.
• Inconsistent High-Level Engagements: Despite the Strategic Partnership, top-level visits and dialogues have been irregular, resulting in lost momentum and under-utilized potential.
• Divergences in Multilateral Forums: India and Brazil do not always align on key issues in BRICS, IBSA, or UNSC reforms. Differences over global crises and digital governance sometimes dilute collective impact.

Way Forward

• Food and Energy Security: Brazil is a major agricultural powerhouse, while India seeks to diversify its edible oil and agro-product imports. Both countries can work towards ensuring a stable supply of essential commodities, a priority amid global food crises and supply chain disruptions.
• Energy Cooperation: India and Brazil are among the fastest-growing energy markets (IEA report) and can enhance collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and energy efficiency. This will boost energy security and support clean energy transitions.
• Strengthening Defense Ties: With shifting global geopolitical dynamics, India and Brazil are exploring ways to deepen defense cooperation through joint exercises, technology transfer, and defense trade, contributing to regional stability and security.
• Identify New Areas of Collaboration: Expanding cooperation into technology, healthcare, and infrastructure will help deepen bilateral engagement.
  • Example: The Social Security Agreement (SSA) signed in March 2017, once fully operationalized, could allow investments in each other’s pension funds, streamline business processes, and promote investment flows.
• Address Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs): It is important to identify and resolve specific trade and investment barriers through bilateral negotiations and preferential treatment for each other’s exports.
  • Example: Indian exporters of basmati rice face difficulty accessing the Brazilian market due to stringent phytosanitary requirements. Brazil could review these standards in consultation with Indian stakeholders.
    • Tariffs are monetary barriers (import/export taxes), while non-tariff barriers include sanitary, technical, or regulatory restrictions.
• Promote People-to-People Connects: Cultural and social exchanges need to be enhanced through tourism, cultural events, and educational collaborations to build mutual understanding and strengthen soft power.
  • Example: India’s film industry (Bollywood) enjoys strong popularity in Brazil. Leveraging this cultural connection can promote cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties.

Conclusion

India-Brazil relations, grounded in Gandhian values of peace, equity, and mutual respect, advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Innovation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Global Partnerships), reflecting their shared commitment to a just and sustainable global order.

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