India and Brazil share a growing and dynamic bilateral relationship that has evolved across various sectors since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1948. Their Strategic Partnership, formalized in 2006, has provided a strong foundation for cooperation across diverse areas such as trade, defense, space, and energy.
Diplomatic relations were established in 1948, with India maintaining an embassy in Brasília and a Consulate General in São Paulo.
The Strategic Partnership formed in 2006 has helped strengthen bilateral ties through regular political engagement.
Bilateral trade stood at USD 12.2 billion in 2024–25, with India exporting products like petrochemicals, agrochemicals, pharma, and engineering goods, while Brazil exports crude oil, soy oil, sugar, gold, and iron ore to India.
Indian investments in Brazil total around USD 6 billion, and Brazilian investments in India are around USD 1 billion.
2003 Defense Cooperation Agreement was ratified in 2006, establishing a Joint Defense Committee (JDC) to focus on military collaboration.
2+2 Political-Military Dialogue began in 2024, marking a significant leap in defense cooperation.
India launched Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite in 2021, underscoring the strategic cooperation in space.
Brazil is also interested in India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) systems.
India and Brazil co-founded the Global Biofuels Alliance (2023) and are exploring joint working groups on bioenergy and oil & gas.
Brazil ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2022, reflecting growing energy cooperation.
First cultural center opened in São Paulo in 2011, marking India's growing cultural footprint in Latin America.
Brazil hosts a vibrant Yoga and Ayurveda community, with an Indian diaspora of about 4,000 people.
During India’s Prime Minister’s recent state visit to Brazil, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their Strategic Partnership through the following five priority pillars:
Agreements Signed:
Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime.
A Cybersecurity Dialogue was launched for information sharing.
Commitment to sustainable agriculture and improving food access.
Joint R&D on agricultural productivity, animal genetics, and biotechnology.
Opposing trade barriers that impact food security, while supporting global initiatives like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Focus on sustainable biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles to decarbonize transport.
Strengthening the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
Support for Brazil’s UNFCCC COP30 Presidency and the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.
Joint commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
Focus on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, renewable energy, and outer space.
Collaboration in pharmaceuticals, mining, and critical minerals like oil and gas.
Launch of a Brazil-India Business Council to strengthen private sector engagement and address non-tariff barriers.
Trade imbalance: The bilateral trade is largely dependent on raw material exports (Brazil) and refined products (India), limiting value-added trade.
Non-tariff barriers, particularly in agriculture, hinder trade.
High transportation costs and long shipping routes make trade less competitive.
Limited direct flights reduce the scope for tourism and business exchanges.
Both countries are competing in the global sugar and ethanol markets, which complicates collaboration.
Disputes have arisen over policies like Brazil’s opposition to India’s sugar subsidies at the WTO.
Limited cultural understanding and academic exchanges contribute to a lack of deeper ties.
Both nations perceive each other through specific lenses, such as yoga and football, leading to a narrow view of each other's potential.
India and Brazil have differing regional focuses—India is more focused on the Indo-Pacific, while Brazil emphasizes Latin America.
Multilateral differences, particularly at the WTO and on climate change, sometimes lead to misalignment in global forums.
Diversify trade and reduce non-tariff barriers (e.g., mutual recognition of standards for pharmaceuticals, food safety).
Work towards achieving a bilateral trade target of USD 20 billion in the next 5 years.
Explore an India-Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Create an India-Brazil maritime corridor to reduce shipping costs and time.
Launch direct flights between Delhi/Mumbai and São Paulo to boost tourism and business.
Scale up biofuel and ethanol projects under the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Collaborate on critical minerals (e.g., lithium, cobalt) to support India’s electric vehicle (EV) needs.
Work on developing genetically modified (GM) crops and drought-resistant seeds.
Promote joint ventures in organic food, vegan products, and ready-to-eat meals.
Hold annual Prime Minister–President summits to promote bilateral ties.
Promote state-level partnerships through sister-city agreements (e.g., Mumbai–Rio and Bengaluru–São Paulo).
Foster Track-II diplomacy through think tank collaborations.
The India-Brazil Strategic Partnership holds immense potential for mutual growth in a multipolar world. Despite facing challenges like limited trade diversification and geographical gaps, both nations can benefit from deeper collaboration in areas like trade, energy, technology, and agriculture. By focusing on mutual priorities and expanding cooperation across emerging sectors, India and Brazil can set a model for South-South cooperation, contributing significantly to global sustainable development.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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