Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reaffirmed their countries’ strategic partnership in a joint statement Tuesday, stressing deeper cooperation across defence, trade, energy, digital infrastructure, and counter-terrorism.
Calling the India-Brazil partnership a key pillar of global stability and balance, PM Modi highlighted shared values between the two democracies and called for “zero tolerance and zero double standards” on terrorism.
“We firmly believe there is no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism. We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it,” Modi said, standing beside Lula after delegation-level talks at the Alvorada Palace.
Key Takeaways:
- Strategic & Defence Ties:
Modi announced efforts to connect India’s and Brazil’s defence industries, noting “deep mutual trust” as the foundation for growing military cooperation. - Green Energy & Innovation:
Both leaders signed agreements to accelerate clean energy collaboration. Modi praised Brazil’s preparation to host COP-30, committing to joint climate goals. - Digital Infrastructure:
India will support the adoption of UPI in Brazil, with Modi offering India’s experience in digital public infrastructure and space tech. - UPI & AI Collaboration:
Modi said India and Brazil were expanding work on Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of a shared vision for “human-centric innovation.”
Trade & Economy:
- Modi and Lula set a $20 billion trade target within five years, with plans to expand the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
- “Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal,” Modi quipped, comparing cricket and football to emphasize shared passion and ambition.
People-to-People & Culture:
- Both sides agreed to enhance tourism, educational exchanges, and simplify visa processes.
- “We want India-Brazil relations to be as colourful as a carnival, as energetic as a game of football, and as connecting as Samba,” Modi remarked.
- Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine are also set for expansion in Brazil, reflecting growing soft power collaboration.
Modi Honoured with Brazil’s Highest Civilian Award
President Lula awarded Modi the ‘Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’, Brazil’s highest civilian honour — a gesture Modi described as “a moment of pride for 140 crore Indians.”
“My friend President Lula is the Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” Modi said, calling Lula a “visionary leader of the Global South.”
Modi’s Brazil visit followed his participation in the BRICS Summit. Both leaders pledged to continue raising Global South concerns on international platforms and vowed to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
If you’d like a timeline of India-Brazil ties, a map of new trade corridors, or infographics on defence and UPI collaboration, let me know — I can prepare that too.