India and Brazil: Two Great Nations with Higher Purposes Strengthen Strategic Partnership
New Delhi: Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, paid a State Visit to Brazil on 8 July 2025, at the invitation of President Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The visit marked a renewed commitment to the longstanding friendship between the two nations, which officially began nearly eight decades ago and was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2006.
Both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global matters, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace, prosperity, sustainable development, and a more equitable international order. They agreed on a strategic roadmap for the next decade, focusing on five priority pillars:
Defence and Security
Food and Nutritional Security
Energy Transition and Climate Change
Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies
Industrial Partnerships in Strategic Areas
(i) Defence and Security
Both sides welcomed deepening defense ties, including joint military exercises and the Agreement on Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information. The leaders also launched a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue.
PM Modi expressed gratitude for Brazil’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Both nations strongly denounced terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and committed to enhancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, highlighted by the signing of a new agreement on combating international terrorism and transnational organized crime.
They also supported action against UN-designated terrorist entities, such as LeT and JeM, and pledged to disrupt terror financing through mechanisms like the UN and FATF.
Cooperation in space research was emphasized, including satellite design and commercial launches. Brazil congratulated India on its space achievements.
(ii) Food and Nutritional Security
Leaders pledged to eradicate hunger by 2030, supporting the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. They called for fair and open agricultural trade and highlighted the importance of public stockholding for food security.
Joint R&D efforts in sustainable agriculture and biotech-based animal nutrition were encouraged. They condemned unilateral trade restrictions under environmental pretexts and called for transparent and inclusive trade through the WTO.
(iii) Energy Transition and Climate Change
India and Brazil renewed their engagement with the Global Biofuels Alliance and committed to promoting sustainable, low-emission energy sources. They emphasized biofuels, SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), and flex-fuel vehicles.
PM Modi welcomed Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) ahead of COP30, and supported Brazil’s invitation to India to join the COP30 Circle of Finance Ministers.
They reiterated their commitment to the Paris Agreement, to equity, and a sustainable climate future, alongside enhancing collaboration under the ISA and CDRI. India also extended support to Brazil’s COP30 presidency.
(iv) Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies
Both leaders recognized Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI, and emerging technologies as crucial for national development. They signed an MoU to share large-scale digital solutions, promote capacity building, and collaborate on AI governance.
President Lula congratulated India for hosting the 2026 AI Summit. Both sides stressed bilateral R&D collaboration in areas like quantum tech, outer space, and renewable energy.
(v) Industrial Partnerships in Strategic Areas
Acknowledging rising protectionism, both leaders committed to deepening economic ties in key sectors:
Pharmaceuticals: More Indian pharma companies to partner with Brazilian counterparts for local production and R&D.
Defence: Joint industrial ventures in land, air, and maritime systems.
Critical Minerals: Collaboration in exploration, processing, and refining.
Oil & Gas: Cooperation in offshore projects, carbon capture, and technology innovation.
They also discussed removing non-tariff barriers, simplifying visa processes, and facilitating business and tourism mobility. A new Commerce and Trade Review Mechanism was agreed upon, and both nations committed to enforcing treaties for investment cooperation and avoiding double taxation.
Other Areas of Cooperation
- Culture: Renewal of Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029).
- Education: Support for academic exchanges, scholarships, and capacity building.
- Traditional Knowledge, Health, and Sports: Progress noted and further cooperation encouraged.
- Key Agreements Signed During the Visit:
Agreement on Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Crime - Agreement on Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information
- MoU on Renewable Energy Cooperation
- MoU on Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA & ICAR)
- MoU on Digital Transformation
- MoU on Intellectual Property Cooperation
Instruments in Progress:
Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil Matters
Defense Industry Cooperation
Sports Cooperation
Archival Cooperation
Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029)
A Global Vision with Shared Legacy
Reflecting on shared struggles against colonialism, India and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to reforming the UN Security Council for better representation of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, and reiterated mutual support for permanent membership.
They expressed hope for Middle East peace, calling for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, humanitarian access to Gaza, and supported UNRWA’s mandate.
On Ukraine, both nations regretted the humanitarian crisis and stressed diplomacy for a peaceful resolution.
India and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to advancing peace, sustainability, multilateralism, and inclusive growth. This state visit marks a pivotal step in shaping the India-Brazil partnership for the next decade, rooted in shared values, strategic convergence, and a vision for a fairer world order.