New Delhi : In a landmark moment for India-Brazil relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Brazil on July 8, 2025, culminated in the signing of six pivotal agreements, marking a significant step toward deepening bilateral ties in defense, trade, technology, renewable energy, agriculture, and counter-terrorism. The visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in 57 years, underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, with both leaders setting an ambitious target to nearly double bilateral trade to $20 billion over the next five years. This historic engagement, coupled with Brazil conferring its highest civilian honor, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, on PM Modi, signals a new era of cooperation between the two vibrant democracies of the Global South.
A Historic Visit Strengthening India-Brazil Ties
Prime Minister Modi’s arrival in Brasilia, following the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7, 2025, was marked by a warm reception from Brazil’s Minister of Defence, Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho, at the airport. The visit, described by India’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, as “highly meaningful,” was punctuated by a grand ceremonial welcome at the Alvorada Palace, featuring a 114-horse guard of honor and cultural performances by the Batala Mundo band, showcasing Brazil’s vibrant Samba Reggae traditions. The bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was a testament to the deepening chemistry between the two leaders, who engaged in comprehensive discussions to broaden their strategic partnership, established in 2006.
The talks covered an extensive range of mutual interests, including defense, trade, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health, and people-to-people linkages. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering sustainable development and championing the voice of the Global South in global forums such as BRICS, BASIC, G-20, G-4, IBSA, the UN, WTO, UNESCO, and WIPO. The agreements signed during the visit reflect a shared vision for a multipolar world order, rooted in democratic values and mutual growth.
Six Key Agreements to Bolster Bilateral Cooperation
The six agreements signed during the visit are poised to strengthen India-Brazil collaboration across critical sectors. These include:
- Agreement on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime: Both nations reiterated their “zero tolerance and zero double standards” policy on terrorism. PM Modi emphasized, “There is no place for ‘dohre maapdand’ (double standards) on this issue,” highlighting the shared resolve to counter terrorism and its supporters. President Lula expressed solidarity with India, condemning the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, and reaffirmed Brazil’s support in the global fight against terrorism.
- Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information: This pact enhances trust between the two nations by facilitating secure information sharing, crucial for deepening defense and security cooperation.
- MoU on Cooperation for Sharing Large-Scale Digital Solutions for Digital Transformation: The agreement aims to leverage India’s expertise in digital public infrastructure, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), to support Brazil’s digital transformation. Efforts are underway to introduce UPI in Brazil, fostering digital connectivity and economic empowerment.
- MoU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy: Brazil, a co-founder of the Global Biofuel Alliance and a ratifier of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Agreement in 2022, will collaborate with India to advance renewable energy initiatives, aligning with both nations’ green goals.
- MoU on Agricultural Research between EMBRAPA and ICAR: Brazil’s EMBRAPA and India’s Council of Agricultural Research will work together on agricultural research, food processing, and the promotion of traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda, in Brazil.
- MoU on Cooperation in Intellectual Property: Signed between India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Brazil’s Secretariat of Competitiveness and Regulatory Policy under the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), this agreement fosters innovation and protects intellectual property rights.
Additionally, both countries announced the establishment of a ministerial-level mechanism to monitor trade, commerce, and investment, aimed at streamlining economic cooperation and achieving the $20 billion trade target by 2030.
Ambitious $20 Billion Trade Target by 2030
India and Brazil, with current bilateral trade valued at $12.2 billion in 2024-25, have set an ambitious goal to nearly double this figure to $20 billion within five years. India enjoys a trade surplus, with key exports including diesel, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, and engineering goods, while Brazil supplies crude oil, soy oil, sugar, cotton, and iron ore to India. PM Modi’s metaphor of football and cricket captured the synergy between the two nations: “Football is the passion of Brazil, and cricket is the passion of India. Whether the ball crosses a boundary or scores a goal, when both are in the same team, a $20 billion partnership is very much achievable.”
The establishment of a ministerial-level mechanism to monitor trade and investment underscores the commitment to diversify bilateral exchanges and enhance industrial linkages, particularly in the defense sector. Both leaders expressed confidence in achieving this target through enhanced cooperation in high-value sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and supercomputing.
Defense and Security: A Pillar of Cooperation
Defense cooperation, formalized through a 2006 agreement that established a Joint Defence Committee (JDC), is a cornerstone of India-Brazil relations. PM Modi emphasized interlinking defense industries, signaling a shift from transactional purchases to collaborative manufacturing. This move reflects growing trust and a shared interest in reducing dependence on traditional Western suppliers in a volatile global landscape. The agreement on combating international terrorism and transnational organized crime further strengthens India’s counter-terror architecture, extending its security partnerships beyond its immediate neighborhood.
Digital Sovereignty and Technological Collaboration
The MoU on digital transformation is a forward-looking step, with India offering its expertise in digital public infrastructure, space technology, artificial intelligence, and supercomputing. The potential adoption of UPI in Brazil marks a significant milestone in South-South cooperation, empowering local systems through sovereign tech models. This collaboration aligns with both nations’ commitment to inclusive development and human-centric innovation.
Renewable Energy and Agricultural Synergy
The renewable energy MoU builds on Brazil’s participation in the Global Biofuel Alliance and the International Solar Alliance, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to energy transition and climate change mitigation. In agriculture, the partnership between EMBRAPA and ICAR will enhance research in food processing and promote traditional medicine, fostering food and nutritional security. PM Modi highlighted the potential for a “win-win” partnership in the health sector, with plans to expand cooperation in traditional medicine and Ayurveda.
Championing the Global South
The India-Brazil partnership is not just a bilateral engagement but a strategic recalibration for the Global South. Both leaders emphasized their shared responsibility to represent emerging nations in global forums. PM Modi’s remarks at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro underscored the interconnectedness of planetary and human health, with climate justice as a moral duty. He outlined India’s vision for its 2026 BRICS Presidency, themed “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability,” focusing on preparedness for unexpected challenges.
President Lula’s conferment of the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross on PM Modi was a powerful gesture, symbolizing Brazil’s confidence in India’s global leadership. The leaders’ alignment on resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy positions their partnership as a pillar of stability in an era of global instability.
Visa Liberalization and People-to-People Ties
To boost trade, investment, and cultural exchange, both nations agreed to ease visa norms, facilitating mobility for tourists, students, athletes, and business professionals. PM Modi called for making India-Brazil ties as vibrant as Brazil’s carnival, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people linkages. Ambassador Bhatia noted that smoother mobility is essential for enhancing economic ties, further strengthening the cultural affinity between the two nations.
A New Era of India-Brazil Relations
PM Modi’s historic state visit, the first in 57 years, marks a turning point in India-Brazil relations. Describing President Lula as the “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership,” Modi credited him for nurturing democratic collaboration. The visit, part of a five-nation tour that includes Namibia, underscores India’s proactive role in the Global South. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the signing of a technology agreement for unified payment interoperability, further cementing technological ties.
In a post on X, PM Modi described his discussions with President Lula as “fruitful,” noting the Brazilian leader’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The visit’s outcomes, from the $20 billion trade target to the six strategic agreements, demonstrate the growing convergence of interests between India and Brazil. As two vibrant democracies, they are redefining the development agenda for emerging nations, offering an alternative model of open, plural, and future-ready cooperation.
Conclusion
The India-Brazil strategic partnership, fortified by PM Modi’s historic visit, sets a new benchmark for South-South cooperation. With agreements spanning terrorism, trade, technology, and renewable energy, and a bold $20 billion trade target, both nations are aligning their futures to lead with values in a fragmented global landscape. As Modi aptly stated, “At a time of growing global instability, our partnership is an important pillar of stability and balance.” This renewed commitment signals a promising era of collaboration, with India and Brazil poised to shape a multipolar world order rooted in democratic values and mutual growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What agreements were signed during PM Modi’s state visit to Brazil in July 2025?
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Brazil on July 8, 2025, six key agreements were signed, covering cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organized crime, exchange and mutual protection of classified information, sharing large-scale digital solutions for digital transformation, renewable energy, agricultural research between Brazil’s EMBRAPA and India’s ICAR, and intellectual property cooperation between India’s DPIIT and Brazil’s MDIC.
2. What is the trade target set by India and Brazil, and by when?
India and Brazil have set an ambitious target to nearly double their bilateral trade to $20 billion over the next five years, by 2030. The current trade value stands at $12.2 billion in 2024-25.
3. What is the significance of PM Modi’s visit to Brazil in 2025?
PM Modi’s visit, the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in 57 years, marked a historic milestone in India-Brazil relations. It strengthened their strategic partnership, established in 2006, and reinforced their commitment to cooperation in defense, trade, technology, renewable energy, and representing the Global South in global forums like BRICS and G-20.
4. What honor was conferred on PM Modi during his Brazil visit?
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva conferred the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, Brazil’s highest civilian award, on PM Modi, symbolizing Brazil’s recognition of India’s global leadership and the deepening bilateral ties.
5. How are India and Brazil collaborating on counter-terrorism?
The two nations signed an agreement to combat international terrorism and transnational organized crime, emphasizing a “zero tolerance and zero double standards” policy. This pact reflects their shared resolve to counter terrorism and its supporters, with Brazil
