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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brazil in July 2025 marked a significant step in bolstering the relationship between India and Brazil. This visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades, underscored the strategic importance both nations place on their bilateral ties. The agenda encompassed a broad range of issues, including trade, defense, energy, space, technology, agriculture, and health, all aimed at deepening the Strategic Partnership. The historical context of India-Brazil relations provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the current dynamics. Despite the geographical distance, connections between the two countries date back to colonial times, primarily through Portuguese influence. Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral's arrival in Brazil in 1500, just two years after Vasco da Gama's voyage to India, initiated a period of shared colonial experience. This era saw trade and cultural exchanges between Goa, a Portuguese outpost in India, and Brazil. The introduction of coconut and mango crops from India to Brazil, and cashew nuts from Brazil to India, illustrates the early exchanges. Moreover, Indian cattle breeds were exported to Brazil, significantly contributing to the country's livestock. This historical connection laid the foundation for modern-day diplomatic ties, which were formally established in 1948, shortly after India's independence. However, the relationship faced challenges in its early stages. Brazil's opposition to India's 'Operation Vijay,' which liberated Goa from Portuguese rule in 1961, strained relations. It wasn't until the 1990s that India-Brazil relations truly began to flourish. Economic reforms undertaken by both nations during this period led to a significant expansion in trade relations. In 2024-25, bilateral trade reached $12.20 billion, with Indian exports to Brazil amounting to $6.77 billion and imports from Brazil totaling $5.43 billion. The trade basket includes a diverse range of goods. India's major exports to Brazil consist of processed petroleum products (diesel), agrochemicals (insecticides, fungicides), chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering products, textured filament yarn, and unwrought aluminum. On the other hand, Brazil exports crude oil, soya oil, gold (non-monetary), raw sugar, cotton, gum, wood and turpentine oils, chemicals (carboxylic acids), and iron ore and concentrates to India. Beyond trade, the presence of the Indian diaspora in Brazil, estimated at around 4,000 people, further strengthens the ties between the two countries. Major Indian IT and pharmaceutical companies have established offices in São Paulo, and companies like the Aditya Birla Group and Sterlite also have a presence in Brazil. The economic trajectories of India and Brazil in the 2000s played a crucial role in solidifying their strategic partnership. Both nations experienced significant economic growth, positioning themselves as key players in the global economy. As strategic partners, India and Brazil have established several institutional mechanisms to coordinate various aspects of their bilateral relationship. These include the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM at the Foreign Minister level) and the Strategic Dialogue (between National Security Advisers). A 2+2 Political-Military dialogue was initiated, with its first meeting held in 2024, further enhancing cooperation in security and defense matters. Furthermore, India and Brazil are active members of plurinational forums such as BRICS, G-20, G-4, International Solar Alliance, and Biofuture Platform. These platforms provide opportunities for both nations to collaborate on global issues and advocate for the interests of the Global South. In recent years, both India and Brazil have sought to amplify the voice of developing nations on the world stage, promoting greater representation and influence for the Global South in international affairs.
However, Brazil's economic growth has slowed in recent years, accompanied by challenges such as state corruption scandals. The impeachment of then-President Dilma Rousseff in 2017 for manipulating the budget highlighted the political and economic instability that Brazil has faced. Prior to her removal, Rousseff's government was plagued by rising inflation, unemployment, and a major corruption scandal involving the state-run oil giant Petrobras. These challenges underscore the complexities of Brazil's economic and political landscape, which can impact its relationship with India. Despite these challenges, the long-term prospects for India-Brazil relations remain positive. The two countries share common values and interests, and their strategic partnership is built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. As emerging economies, both India and Brazil are committed to promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth. They also recognize the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and poverty. The ongoing collaboration between India and Brazil in various sectors, including trade, defense, energy, space, technology, agriculture, and health, reflects the depth and breadth of their relationship. The commitment of both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership will undoubtedly lead to further cooperation and mutual benefits in the years to come. India and Brazil share a commitment to South-South cooperation, working together to support development initiatives in other developing countries. This collaborative approach to development is particularly evident in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, where both countries have significant expertise and resources to share. For example, India's experience in developing affordable healthcare solutions and Brazil's advancements in agricultural technology can be leveraged to benefit other developing nations. The cooperation between India and Brazil extends beyond bilateral relations to encompass regional and global issues. Both countries are active members of various international organizations and forums, where they work together to promote peace, security, and sustainable development. They also share a common interest in reforming the international financial system to make it more equitable and responsive to the needs of developing countries. The strategic partnership between India and Brazil is not only beneficial for both countries but also contributes to regional and global stability. By working together to address common challenges and promote shared interests, India and Brazil can play a significant role in shaping a more just and equitable world order.
Looking ahead, there are several areas where India and Brazil can further strengthen their cooperation. One area is renewable energy, where both countries have abundant resources and expertise. India's ambitious renewable energy targets and Brazil's leadership in biofuels offer opportunities for collaboration in developing sustainable energy solutions. Another area is technology, where both countries have thriving IT sectors and a growing focus on innovation. Collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space technology can create new opportunities for economic growth and development. Furthermore, there is potential for increased cooperation in the defense sector. India and Brazil have been exploring joint ventures in defense manufacturing, and there is scope for further collaboration in areas such as aerospace and naval technology. The cultural ties between India and Brazil also provide a strong foundation for strengthening people-to-people connections. Increased tourism, cultural exchanges, and educational partnerships can help to promote greater understanding and appreciation between the two countries. The historical links, economic synergies, and shared values between India and Brazil create a strong foundation for a long-term strategic partnership. As emerging economies with a growing global influence, both countries have a vested interest in working together to address common challenges and promote shared interests. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Brazil in 2025 served as a catalyst for further strengthening this partnership, paving the way for increased cooperation and mutual benefits in the years to come. The relationship between India and Brazil is a testament to the power of South-South cooperation and the potential for emerging economies to shape a more just and equitable world order. Both countries are committed to working together to achieve this vision, and their strategic partnership is poised to play an increasingly important role in the global landscape. The ongoing dialogue and engagement between the leaders and officials of both countries are essential for ensuring that the strategic partnership remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving global challenges. This includes regular consultations on bilateral issues, as well as collaboration on regional and global matters of mutual interest. The commitment of both India and Brazil to uphold democratic values and promote inclusive governance further strengthens their partnership and positions them as responsible actors in the international community. Their shared commitment to multilateralism and international law underscores their belief in the importance of cooperation and dialogue in addressing global challenges.
Source: As PM Modi visits Brazil, 3 things to know about India’s ties with the country