India and Brazil on Saturday firmed up 10 outcomes spanning critical minerals, digital technology, MSMEs and mining, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit as “filled with outcomes across all dimensions of partnership”.
At a joint press conference in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula underlined their resolve to expand trade and deepen cooperation across emerging sectors. The two sides exchanged three key MoUs, on a Joint Declaration on Digital Partnership for the Future, cooperation in rare earths and critical minerals, and mining for the steel supply chain.
The two leaders committed to transforming economic ties into what Modi described as a “win-win partnership” anchored in trust and shared global ambitions.
“In the coming years, we are committed to taking our bilateral trade beyond $20 billion. Our trade is not just figures, but a reflection of trust. The business delegation that came with the President shows this trust,” the Prime Minister said at a joint press conference.
Modi described Brazil as India’s “largest trading partner in Latin America” and emphasised that the presence of a large Brazilian CEO delegation signalled strong investor confidence. He added that expansion of the India-MERCOSUR trade agreement would further energise economic ties.
President Lula described India and Brazil as “the two biggest democracies of the Global South” and called for strengthening multilateralism. Modi, in turn, said the partnership would amplify the voice of the Global South and push for reforms in international institutions.
According to the MEA, cooperation in rare earth elements and critical minerals will boost technology transfer, exploration and research, while attracting investments and helping India draw upon Brazil’s experience in processing and recycling technologies.
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A major highlight was the Joint Declaration on Digital Partnership, which aims to expand collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure, high-performance computing, quantum technologies and blockchain. The partnership will also advance implementation of the India Stack framework.
Brazil extended business visas for Indian passport holders to 10 years, a move expected to ease commercial engagement and strengthen economic ties.
Other outcomes include cooperation in MSME entrepreneurship and crafts, the postal sector, and regulatory collaboration between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Brazil’s health regulatory agency. An agreement between CSIR and Brazil’s INPI will grant Brazil access to India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, advancing recognition of Indian AYUSH and homeopathy pharmacopoeia.
Academic and cultural exchanges also received a push through partnerships between the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and the Federal University of Minas Gerais, and between the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and the University of São Paulo.
India–Brazil talks: 10 key outcomes
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$20 billion trade target – Both nations aim to raise bilateral trade beyond $20 billion within five years.
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Expansion of India–MERCOSUR pact – Commitment to broaden the preferential trade agreement to deepen market access.
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Rare rarth & critical minerals cooperation – Focus on technology transfer, exploration and securing mineral supply chains.
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Digital public infrastructure partnership – India to support a Centre of Excellence in Brazil based on the India Stack model.
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Advanced technology collaboration – Joint work in AI, supercomputing, semiconductors and blockchain technologies.
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Energy & biofuel push – Stronger cooperation in renewable energy, ethanol blending and sustainable aviation fuel.
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Mining & steel supply chain ties – Strategic collaboration to ensure stable raw material access for industry.
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Pharmaceutical & regulatory cooperation – Enhanced coordination between drug regulators to boost market access.
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10-Year business visa for Indians – Brazil extends long-term business visas to Indian passport holders.
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Global south alignment – Shared commitment to multilateral reform, counter-terrorism cooperation and amplifying Global South voice.
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