Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking to create a "strategic alliance" with India to foster economic and technological development in both nations. This announcement follows Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin's recent visit to New Delhi and precedes Lula's planned state visit to India in early 2026.
In a video message posted on X, Lula emphasized India's "exceptional market" and the potential for a multi-dimensional partnership encompassing political, space, entrepreneurial, and economic spheres. He expressed confidence in the friendly relations between the two countries, noting mutual respect and goodwill between Brazilians and Indians.
Alckmin's visit to India focused on strengthening business ties and expanding the presence of Brazilian companies in the Indian market. Lula praised Alckmin for the positive outcomes of the visit, including the opening of a Brazilian aerospace company, Embraer, in India, the implementation of electronic visas to facilitate business travel, and the formation of new partnerships.
Alckmin highlighted that India and Brazil are complementary markets, not competitors. He noted India's robust economic growth of around 7% and Brazil's record 16% agricultural harvest this year, presenting opportunities for collaboration in technology, industry, mining, and agriculture.
The renewed focus on India-Brazil ties comes amid rising global trade tensions. In August, the United States imposed tariffs of up to 50% on various Brazilian goods and similar duties on Indian exports. Despite these challenges, economic engagement between India and Brazil continues to grow.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brazil in July 2025, both leaders aimed to increase bilateral trade to USD 20 billion within five years. In fiscal year 2024-25, merchandise trade between the two nations reached USD 12.19 billion, making Brazil India's largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to recent reports, bilateral trade is on track to reach USD 15 billion by the end of 2025.
Several agreements and initiatives are underway to strengthen the India-Brazil partnership. Brazil's Petrobras signed a deal to supply 6 million barrels of oil to India in exchange for importing diesel. Alckmin invited Indian companies to participate in newly opened oil exploration blocks, leveraging Brazil's expertise in deep-sea oil extraction. Additionally, Embraer inaugurated an office in New Delhi and signed a cooperation agreement with Mahindra for defense and aeronautics.
Both countries are also expanding cooperation in other areas. An investment facilitation agreement and a pact to eliminate double taxation have been signed to ensure greater legal certainty for businesses. Brazil is introducing a business eVisa to facilitate business travel. There is also keen interest in collaborating with India's pharmaceutical sector to advance vaccine and drug production.
India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship, elevated to a strategic partnership in 2006. Both countries cooperate in plurilateral forums such as BRICS, G20, IBSA, and G4, as well as in multilateral bodies like the UN, WTO, and UNESCO. This partnership is based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to fostering economic growth with social inclusion.
The strategic alliance envisioned by Lula promises a transformative partnership, bringing together two of the world's largest democracies, spanning continents, and poised to strengthen trade, investment, and technological collaboration in a rapidly changing global economy.
