India - Brazil Relations
INDIA - BRAZIL RELATIONS
INTRODUCTION
India and Brazil share close and multifaceted at bilateral level as well as in plurilateral fora such as BRICS, BASIC, G-20, G-4, IBSA, International Solar Alliance, Bio future Platform and in the larger multilateral bodies such as the UN, WTO, UNESCO and WIPO. The decade long bilateral strategic partnership is based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion for the welfare of the people of both countries.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
• Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese explorer, landed on Brazil's East Coast in 1500, two years after Vasco de Gama's arrival in India.
• Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Brazil and Goa had bilateral exchanges, reflecting food, dressing, and local traditions.
• The bulk of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin. The popularity of a Brazilian tele-novella called 'Caminho das Indias' has enhanced awareness of India in the Brazilian public.
• Diplomatic relations were established in 1948, with both countries opening embassies in the same year.
• India's Embassy in Rio de Janeiro was moved to Brasilia in 1971.
The two countries have been Strategic Partners for over a decade. India's Strategic Partnership with Brazil has intensified with high-level engagements.
In January 2020, President Bolsonaro visited India and adopted an Action Plan to Strengthen the Strategic Partnership. Fifteen Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)/Agreements were signed in various sectors, including Investment, Assistance in Criminal Matters, Cyber Security, Oil & Gas, Bio-energy, Science and Technology, Culture, Animal Husbandry, Health, and Traditional Medicines.
PM Modi and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023 and attended the G20 Summit in India in September 2023.
Political Relations
Regular meeting between the leaders of both countries, including at the summit level, during various multilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, G-4 etc. and on the side-lines of other global fora is the cornerstone of India’s bilateral relations with Brazil.
Bilateral Mechanism
A bilateral Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) exists between India and Brazil that is co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries. This mechanism discusses the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship.
Commercial Relations
• Brazil is India’s largest trade partner in the Latin America region, with bilateral trade of $15.21 billion in 2025 with the goal of increasing it to $20 billion over the next five years.
• Indian exports to Brazil stood at $8.35 billion in comparison to imports worth $6.86 billion from Brazil. Trade balance was in India’s favor by $1.49 billion
• Major Indian exports include processed petroleum products, agro-chemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering products, and textile yarn.
• Brazilian exports include crude oil, soya oil, gold, cane sugar, cotton, gum, wood and turpentine oils, chemicals, and iron ore. Indian investment in Brazil is estimated at over US$ 6 billion, while Brazilian investments are around US$ 1 billion.
• Major Indian companies in Brazil include Glenmark, ZydusCadila, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Pidilite Industries Limited, ONGC Videsh Limited, NMDC Limited, TVS, Tata Motors, Infosys, and Wipro. Major Brazilian companies in India include Polo, Vale, Stefanini, Gerdau, WEG, Compsis, Dedini, Farmas Kunz, Perto, and Fanem.
Trade Monitoring Mechanism
• India and Brazil have established a Trade Mechanism (TMM) to identify and address trade bottlenecks.
• The TMM has met five times since 2008, with the last meeting in Brasilia on 4 October 2023.
• The India-Brazil Business Leaders Forum, a regional trading bloc comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, was re-formed in January 2016 with 16 members and FICCI as the supporting chamber.
• The India-MERCOSUR PTA, signed in 2004, aims to expand commercial ties between India and MERCOSUR. Both countries are interested in expanding the PTA to a more comprehensive agreement. The last round of talks with MERCOSUR took place on 24 September 2019, and the issue was discussed in TMM meetings on 24 January 2020 and 4 October 2023.
Space Cooperation
• India and Brazil signed a framework for peaceful outer space use in 2004 and have been collaborating on data sharing and satellite tracking of Indian satellites.
• Brazil's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Marcos Pontes, visited India from February to March 2021 and witnessed the launch of the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1.
New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, has signed a launch service agreement for its satellite, which will provide remote sensing images to monitor deforestation and diversified agriculture in India.
On May 20, 2022, a month-long exhibition on India's Space Program was inaugurated at Planetarium, Brasilia, with a high-level delegation from ISRO and talks with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB).
Defence Relations
Brazil and India have signed a bilateral ‘Cooperation Agreement’ in 2003 that calls for cooperation in defence related matters, especially in the field of Research and Development, acquisition and logistic support between the two countries. Under the framework of the agreement, a ‘Joint Defence Committee (JDC)’ has been set-up that meets at regular interval.
• In 2006, a Strategic Dialogue mechanism was established to address regional and global issues. The last meeting was held in November 2015.
• The two countries have an Extradition Treaty, Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters, and Agreement of Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
• In January 2020, an MoU on cooperation in cyber security was signed between CERT-In and its counterpart agency. India and Brazil also cooperate in cyber issues at BRICS and IBSA.
• India and Brazil have signed an agreement in 2003 for defence cooperation, with seven Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meetings held so far. High-level defence delegation visits have occurred in 2022 and 2023.
Cooperation in Bio-fuels, Oil & Gas
• Brazil, with 13.4 billion barrels of crude oil, is the second largest oil reserve in South America after Venezuela.
• India imports crude oil from Brazil, with OVL and BPRL investing over $3.2 billion in exploration and producing assets.
• Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy, visited India in April 2022, focusing on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in India, led an official delegation to Brazil in September 2022, discussing investments in oil and gas, crude sourcing, and cooperation in biofuels and bioenergy.
• An agreement was signed for Brazilian crude sourcing. The bio-energy sector offers significant business potential for Brazilian companies, and India and Brazil are already cooperating in multilateral forums.
• An MoU on cooperation in bio-energy was signed during Brazil's State Visit to India, and a Joint Working Group on Bio-fuels was established.
• Brazil signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Agreement in 2019 and ratified it in December 2022.
Cooperation in, Agriculture, Food Processing and Animal Husbandry
• Agriculture, food processing and animal husbandry are other key focus areas for bilateral cooperation. The cattle of Brazil and India share the same genetic heritage. Indian cattle like ‘Gir’ and ‘Kankrej’, which were exported centuries back has been suitably modified to yield large quantities of milk. Both sides are working on training and capacity building including Technology Transfer. Indian Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying visited Brazil in May 2022, and Indian Minister of Agriculture led a delegation to Brazil in July 2022.
Health and Traditional Medicine
• In January 2020, an MoU was signed for health cooperation, with the first Joint Working Group meeting in March 2022.
• Ayurveda and Yoga are included in Brazil's Health Ministry's Policy of Integrative and Complimentary Practices.
• In January 2020, India and Brazil signed an MoU on cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
Technical Cooperation & Scholarships
• Brazil is eligible for scholarships under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and AYUSH Scholarship Schemes.
• Over the past seven years, around 60 Brazilians have benefited from the ITEC program for training in communications, management, and defense.
• Nine slots have been used in various defense courses. Four Brazilian diplomats have also received training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in New Delhi.
Cultural Relations
• Brazil is a significant destination for Indian culture, religion, performing arts, and philosophy, with numerous spiritual gurus and organizations having chapters in the country.
• Indian philosophy, spirituality, and religion were the first forms of Indian culture to reach Brazil, with Bharatanatyam being the first classical Indian art form. India's first cultural center in Latin America was opened in Sao Paulo in May 2011.
• A Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2020-2024 was signed during President Bolsonaro's State Visit to India in January 2020.
• Brazil has a strong community of Yoga and Ayurveda practitioners, with numerous organizations teaching yoga throughout the country. The Embassy of India in Brazil has organized regular yoga classes since September 2017. In 2015, the 1st International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated in 12 major cities of Brazil, with subsequent editions commemorated in prominent landmarks.
• Mahatma Gandhi is highly regarded in Brazil, with the government and NGOs inculcating the philosophy of non-violence among students, youth, and police. Statues of Gandhi have been installed in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Londrina, and an organization called 8 Filhos de Gandhy (Sons of Gandhi) takes out street processions wearing Gandhian attire every year.
• The Indian community in Brazil is a diverse group of professionals and businessmen, with around 4,000 people living in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Manaus.
The community is primarily composed of professionals and businessmen, with some scientists working in fields like space, agriculture, physics, and biotechnology. In 2019, Globo Television produced a news special titled "The Journey of Life: Ganges River" and Prof. Dilip Loundo was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in 2023 for his contribution to promoting Indian philosophy and traditions.