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Embassy of India
Brasilia
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India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship, elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2006, based on a common global vision, shared democratic values and commitment to foster inclusive economic growth. Both countries also enjoy excellent cooperation in plurilateral fora such as IBSA, BRICS, G20, G-4, International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuel Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure as well as in the larger multilateral bodies such as the UN, WTO, UNESCO and WIPO.
2. A Portuguese explorer, Pedro Alvares Cabral, landed on the East Coast of Brazil in 1500, two years after Vasco de Gama had arrived India. Between 16th and 18th centuries, Brazil and Goa, both outposts of Portuguese imperialist empire, had bilateral exchanges that are reflected in culinary and dressing as well as local traditions.
3. Diplomatic relations were established in 1948, with both countries opening the embassies in the same year. India opened the first ever Embassy in the Latin American region in Rio de Janeiro, the erstwhile capital of Brazil, and later moved it to Brasilia in 1971. India has a Consulate General in São Paulo while Brazil has one in Mumbai.
4. The high-level engagements have been regularly held between the leadership of both countries. President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva paid a State visit to India from 18-22 February 2026, in conjunction with AI Impact Summit 2026. President Lula was accompanied by the largest ever Brazilian delegation to India comprising 11 Ministers, Governor of State of Bahia, several Heads of Government Institutions, civil society members and about 300 business leaders. Besides a Joint Declaration, 11 Agreements / MOUs were signed between respective State entities, including on Digital Partnership; Rare Earths and Critical Minerals; Mining for Steel Supply Chain; Postal Services; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Entrepreneurship and Handicrafts; pharmaceuticals cooperation between ANVISA and CDSCO; Electronic Certificates of Origin; Access to Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge (TKDL); Digital Transformation in Education; between Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil and Indian Institute of Mass Communication; and between Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and School of Communication and Arts of University of São Paulo (ECA-USP).
5. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a bilateral State Visit to Brasilia on 7-8 July (a State Visit after 57 years) following his visit to Rio de Janeiro from 5-7 July 2025 for participating in 17th BRICS Summit. During his visit, PM held wide ranging talks with President Lula. Six Agreements / MOUs in the fields of Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime; Renewable Energy; Digital Solutions for Digital Transformation; Intellectual Property; Agricultural Cooperation and Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, were signed during the visit. Both leaders have held several meetings on the margins of multilateral events on a very regular basis.
6. PM’s visit was followed up by the visit to India of Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (also Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services) from 15 to 17 October. His delegation included José Múcio Monteiro Filho, Minister of Defence and Alexandre Padilha, Health Minister apart from top military leadership and seniormost members of various government agencies.
High-level Visits
7. High-level exchange of visits on reciprocal basis has provided a sustained impetus to the relationship. The following VVIP visits have taken place between the two countries:
From India to Brazil |
From Brazil to India |
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President (1996) |
Ms. Indira Gandhi |
Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva |
Dr. Manmohan Singh |
Ms. Dilma Rousseff |
Ms. Pratibha Patil |
Mr. Jair Bolsonaro |
Shri Narendra Modi |
Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
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Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President (2025) |
Parliamentary Exchanges
8. Parliamentary exchanges are another important pillar of bilateral relations. While Speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) constituted a bilateral Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) in March 2026, both houses of Brazilian Parliament have had the PFGs in existence. Speaker Om Birla, along with Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, visited Brasilia from 3-6 June 2025 to attend meeting of BRICS Parliamentary Forum. Speaker had bilateral meetings with Hugo Motta, President of Chamber of Deputies (Lower House) and Senator Rodrigo Pacheco, President of Senate. Shri Harivansh had also led a 6-member Parliamentary delegation to participate in 10th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ (P20) Summit in Brasilia from 6-9 November 2024 when he had also met President of Senate. In October 2025, Speakers of Nagaland Assembly, Meghalaya Assembly and Arunachal Pradesh Assembly visited Brazil as part of their study tours post Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
9. An all-party 7-member parliamentary delegation led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor visited Brasilia on 1-2 June 2025 to brief Brazilian interlocutors on cross-border terrorism following Op-Sindoor. They met Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President; Celso Amorim, Special Diplomatic Advisor to President Lula; Presidents of both Parliamentary Friendship Groups and Acting Foreign Minister.
Institutional Mechanisms
10. As Strategic Partners, India and Brazil have a host of Institutional mechanisms to coordinate various aspects of bilateral relationship. This includes Joint Commission Meeting (JCM at Foreign Minister level), Strategic Dialogue (between NSAs), Foreign Office Consultations (FOC at Secretary level), Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM at level of Commerce Secretaries), Economic and Financial Dialogue, Dialogue on Consular and Mobility Issues, besides Joint Committees on Defence, Science & Technology, Agriculture and Cyber Dialogue.
11. The 9th JCM was co-chaired by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and his counterpart Ambassador Mauro Vieira on 27 August 2024 in New Delhi. The 2nd FOC was held in Brasilia on 20 June 2023. The 6th meeting of Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 3 October 2025, co-chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Celso Amorim. The 7th meeting of TMM on 7 October 2025 in New Delhi was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary and Brazilian Secretary of Foreign Trade. The first meeting of Cyber Dialogue was held in Brasilia on 26-28 November 2025.
12. The engagement at sub-national level included the visits to India of Ronaldo Caiado, Governor of State of Goiás, from 10-21 February 2025 and Eduardo Corrêa Riedel, Governor of State of Mato Grosso do Sul on 6-8 August 2025.
Trade and Investment
13. India and Brazil continue to maintain a strong and dynamic trade relationship. In 2025, the bilateral trade grew by over 25% reaching USD 15.21 billion, vis-à-vis USD 12.20 billion in 2024. Indian exports amounted to USD 8.35 billion and imports from Brazil were USD 6.85 billion. Major Indian exports to Brazil include processed Petroleum products (diesel), Agro-chemicals (insecticides, fungicides), Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering products, Textured filament yarn and Unwrought Aluminum. Brazilian exports to India included Crude oil, soybean oil, Gold (non-monetary), raw sugar, cotton, gum, wood and turpentine oils, chemicals (carboxylic acids) and iron ore and concentrates. The upward trend in bilateral trade has continued in first six months of 2026 reaching USD 8.774 billion (36.95% increase over corresponding period in 2025) including exports of 3.579 billion and imports of 5.195 billion.
14. Total Indian investments in Brazil are estimated at more than USD 15 billion with presence of BPRL and OVL in oil & gas sector; Bajaj, Tata Motors (along with newly acquired Italian Iveco), Mahindra Tractors, Royal Enfield, Hero Motors and TVS Motors in Automotive Sector; TCS, Infosys, HCL and Wipro in IT Sector; Glenmark, ZydusCadila, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in pharmaceuticals sector and Novelis of Aditya Birla Group in aluminum industry. Brazilian investments in India are about USD 1 billion with presence of Vale (mining), Stefanini (IT), WEG (Heavy Electrical motors/generators), Compsis (Toll Road software system), Dedini (Ethanol production), Farmas Kunz (footwear), Perto (Fabrication of ATMs), Fanem (Hospital instrumentation) and Embraer Aerospace.
15. With ratification by Brazil of Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty (ICFT signed on 25 January 2020) as well as of Protocol amending the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA signed on 24 August 2022), in October 2025, led to their entry into force.
Defence Cooperation
16. A defence cooperation agreement signed in 2003, ratified in 2006, had created a Joint Defence Committee (JDC) as institutional mechanism. The 8th meeting of JDC was held on 29-30 July 2025 in Brasilia. In addition, the 2+2 Political-Military dialogue was inaugurated in New Delhi in March 2024. India Brazil Focus Group on Defence Industrial cooperation also held its inaugural meeting on 8 March 2024.
17. Exchange of visits of several high level defence delegations have consistently taken place. All three serving Brazilian Chiefs as well as Joint Chief of Staff have visited India in the last three years. From India, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff visited Brazil from 8-13 December 2025. During his visit, an MOU on Maintenance of Scorpene Class Submarines and other military ships was signed between Brazilian Navy, Indian Navy and Mazagaon Docks Ltd (MDL). Besides, regular visits by delegations from India’s National Defence College, College of Defence Management and Army War College, have been taken place. Brazilian Defence Colleges have also paid reciprocal visits to India.
Space
18. Both countries signed a framework agreement for peaceful use of outer space in 2004 as well an inter-institutional cooperation agreement between the space agencies. Both countries have been collaborating in data sharing and satellite tracking of Indian satellites. India launched Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 in 2021, the first Earth Observation satellite to be completely designed, integrated, tested and operated by Brazil.
Energy
19. Brazil is India’s largest upstream investment destination in the Americas and the 3rd largest investment destination globally. Indian PSUs (OVL and BPRL) have invested USD 3.5 billion in Brazil’s upstream sector. They have participating interests with Petrobras in the upstream sector, focusing on developing BM-SEAL-11 and BM-SEAL-4. A Joint Working Group (JWG) was constituted under the MOU on Oil & Gas signed on 25 January 2020.
20. Brazil has become an important partner in India’s development of biofuels. Both countries signed an MOU on Bioenergy Cooperation in January 2020 and subsequently, held the first meeting of JWG on Bioenergy Cooperation virtually on 6 August 2021. Brazil became the co-founder member of Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), which was launched in September 2023 during G20 Summit in New Delhi. The ‘National Biofuel Policy’ of India and ‘Renova Bio’ Program of Brazil have common objectives of enhancing biofuel blending.
Agriculture
21. 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 in early 20th century has been suitably modified to yield large quantities of milk. It is remarkable that the bulk of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin.
22. An MOU on cooperation in agriculture was signed between ICAR and Embrapa Brazil during PM’s visit to Brazil in July 2025. Another MOU between Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil was signed during the Global Food Regulators Summit in September 2024 in New Delhi.
Health and Traditional Medicine
23. An updated MOU between Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) was signed in New Delhi in February 2026. An MOU for cooperation in health cooperation was signed in January 2020 in Delhi which provided for a Joint Working Group (JWG) whose first meeting was held in March 2022. Both sides explored areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration such as health surveillance, technology transfer and joint research. Ayurveda and Yoga are both included as alternative therapies in the Policy of Integrative and Complimentary Practices (PNPIC) of Brazilian Health Ministry. An MOU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy was also signed in January 2020. The first JWG meeting under the MOU was held in Brasilia on 7 November 2022.
Cooperation in Digital Technology
24. A delegation from Brazil participated in the Global Technology Summit held on 10-12 April 2025 at New Delhi. Subsequently, a delegation headed by Director, Brazilian Ministry of Science & Technology visited India from 5-7 May 2025. An MOU between MeitY and Ministry of Management & Innovation in Public Services on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions implemented at population scale for digital transformation was signed during PM’s visit to Brazil in July 2025. In October 2025, IIIT Bengaluru and COSS signed an agreement with DATAPREV to set up a Centre of Excellence in Brazil. CDAC India is implementing a super computer project in University of Parana under an agreement with the State of Parana.
Climate Change
25. India participated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC (COP30) in Belem, capital of State of Para in Brazil from 10-21 November where the delegation was led by Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Earlier, Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador of India to Brazil represented India on behalf of Prime Minister during theLeaders’ Summit preceding COP30, on 6-7 November 2025.
Technical Cooperation & Scholarships
26. Brazil is covered under the Scholarship scheme of Indian Council of Cultural relations (ICCR) as well as under the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme. Over 110 Brazilians have availed of the ITEC program for capacity building in a variety of programs including communications, management and defence. Brazilian diplomats have undergone training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, New Delhi for the Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) and also in Disarmament and Internal Security Fellowship program.
Cultural Relations
27. The interest in Indian culture, religion, performing arts and philosophy, meditation and spirituality in Brazil is significant. Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Satya Sai Baba, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Bhakti Vedanta Foundation, Art of Living and other spiritual gurus and organizations have chapters in Brazil. There are practitioners and students of classical Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi. India’s first cultural centre in Latin America – Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) – was opened in São Paulo in May 2011, under the auspices of ICCR. A Brazilian TV serial called ‘Caminho das Indias’ (Path to India) released in 2009 helped in enhancing awareness about India amongst Brazilians.
28. Brazil has a strong community of Yoga and Ayurveda practitioners. There are numerous organizations teaching Yoga all over Brazil. Regular Yoga classes are held at the Embassy in Brasilia and in SVCC. Also in July 2024, Yoga was incorporated into the public schools’ curriculum in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. All editions of International Day of Yoga have been celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of Brazil.
29. Mahatma Gandhi is highly regarded in Brazil as his philosophy of non-violence is being inculcated among students, youth and police. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi have been installed in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador, Londrina and Cuiaba. An organization called Filhos de Gandhy (Sons of Gandhi) is popular in Salvador, Brazil and takes out street processions wearing Gandhian attire every year.
30. Several Brazilian luminaries have received Padma Shri awards: Jonas Masetti, an Acharya and founder of Vishva Vidya Gurukulam, in 2025; Professor Lia Diskin for promoting Gandhian values in 2020; and Gloria Arieira, a Sanskrit and Vedanta scholar, also in 2020. Globo Television, Brazil’s leading media group produced and aired a news special in 2019 titled “The Journey of Life: Ganges River” focussing on places that have played an important role in development of human civilization.
In January 2026, Lama Padma Samten (Alfredo Aveline) and Dr. Plinio Marcos Tsai attended the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit held in India.
31. Indian cinema is also popular among the Brazilian people. Brazilian Post issued a commemorative stamp in May 2014 on “100 years of Indian Cinema”. India participated as the ‘Focus Country’ in 48th São Paulo International Film Festival, held from 17-30 October 2024 and showcased a range of contemporary Indian films, highlighting both new directors and established filmmakers.
Indian Community in Brazil
32. The Indian community in Brazil is estimated to be around 4,000 people, with majority of them living in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and the rest spread around in small numbers in various cities of Brazil. The community comprises primarily of professionals and businessmen, with some scientists / researchers also working in the fields of space, agriculture, physics and biotechnology. Prof. Dilip Loundo was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in 2023 for his contribution to promotion of Indian philosophy and traditions.
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13 July 2026
