India and Brazil Deepen Ties in Defence, Energy, and Trade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day visit to Brazil, holding talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to strengthen bilateral relations. The leaders focused on diversifying trade and expanding cooperation in key areas including clean energy, defence, agriculture, space, and AI. During the visit, PM Modi was awarded Brazil's highest civilian honor, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The visit, part of a five-nation tour, aims to bolster India's strategic partnerships.
Unpacked:
Key areas include defence and security, food and nutritional security, energy transition and climate change, digital transformation and emerging technologies, as well as industrial partnerships. Both countries signed six agreements covering these sectors, aiming to deepen strategic collaboration and expand bilateral ties over the next decade.
India and Brazil set a bilateral trade target of $20 billion to be achieved within the next five years, up from the current $13 billion. This ambitious goal reflects both nations’ commitment to diversifying and expanding economic ties, and establishing a ministerial-level mechanism to monitor and facilitate progress.
The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross is Brazil's highest civilian honor, awarded to foreign dignitaries for strengthening bilateral relations. PM Modi received this recognition in acknowledgment of his efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between India and Brazil.
India and Brazil have maintained diplomatic ties for almost eight decades, with the relationship elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2006. Past cooperation includes collaboration in multilateral forums like BRICS and previous agreements on trade, defence, and technology, forming the basis for the recent deepening of ties.