India and Brazil deepen strategic cooperation ahead of presidential visit across defence, energy, trade, and multilateral platforms | cliQ special

India and Brazil intensified their bilateral strategic dialogue on Friday, focusing on strengthening cooperation across key sectors including defence, security, energy, critical minerals, and health. The talks, held in New Delhi, come ahead of the anticipated visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and aim to consolidate the multi-dimensional partnership between the two nations. Both sides discussed ongoing projects under the framework established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil in July, reviewing progress and identifying opportunities to expand collaboration in strategic, economic, and technological arenas.

Strategic Dialogue and Bilateral Engagements

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval hosted the strategic dialogue with Celso Luis Nunes Amorim, the special advisor to the Brazilian President, who was accompanied by a delegation of senior officials and advisors. The session offered both countries an opportunity to build upon the foundation laid during Prime Minister Modi’s July visit to Brazil, which highlighted five core pillars of cooperation encompassing defence, energy, critical minerals, health, and technological collaboration.

During the dialogue, Doval and Amorim reviewed the advancements in defence and security cooperation, focusing on mutual capacity building, intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and the exchange of expertise in counterterrorism, cyber security, and maritime security. Both sides underscored the importance of a robust defence partnership to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. India’s emphasis on developing self-reliant defence capabilities was highlighted as an area where Brazilian technological collaboration could play a crucial role. Likewise, Brazil’s experiences in regional security management and strategic policy formulation were acknowledged as valuable for India’s broader geopolitical approach.

Energy and critical minerals formed another key component of the discussions. Both nations recognized the significance of sustainable energy development, renewable energy integration, and responsible mining of critical minerals required for advanced technologies, including batteries, electronics, and green energy solutions. The talks also focused on the importance of building resilient supply chains for critical minerals to ensure energy security and technological self-sufficiency. Doval and Amorim explored opportunities for knowledge exchange in energy efficiency, nuclear energy collaboration, and joint research in emerging energy technologies, reflecting a shared vision for a sustainable and technologically advanced future.

Health and pharmaceuticals cooperation was emphasized as a strategic priority, particularly in light of recent global health challenges. India’s expertise in generic pharmaceuticals and vaccine production was acknowledged as a critical asset for strengthening health resilience, while Brazil’s experience in healthcare delivery, public health policy, and research institutions was highlighted as complementary. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in medical research, capacity building, and technology transfer, aiming to create robust mechanisms for mutual benefit and regional leadership in health and pharmaceuticals.

The dialogue also covered cooperation in multilateral forums, including BRICS, India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA), and the forthcoming COP-30 climate conference to be hosted by Brazil in November. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a coordinated approach to global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and equitable economic growth. Shared perspectives on multilateralism and a rules-based international order underscored the strategic alignment between India and Brazil on critical global issues.

Trade, Technology, and Preparations for Presidential Visit

Amorim also met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where discussions extended to the global economic scenario, opportunities for deepening strategic cooperation, and joint initiatives across trade and technology sectors. Jaishankar described the meeting as a “useful exchange on the current global scenario and on opportunities for deepening our strategic cooperation,” reflecting India’s emphasis on leveraging bilateral ties for economic growth alongside strategic alignment.

The dialogue follows significant developments in recent months, including the US imposition of 50% tariffs on both India and Brazil. In August, President Lula dialed Prime Minister Modi to discuss the impact of the tariffs and to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration across trade, energy, defence, and technology, signaling the priority of strengthening bilateral ties despite global economic pressures. Lula also announced his intention to visit India early in 2026, marking a milestone in India-Brazil relations and providing a platform to finalize and operationalize several key agreements.

In preparation for the presidential visit, Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is expected to travel to India in October. His itinerary includes participating in a meeting of the trade monitoring mechanism and engaging with ministers, business leaders, and key officials on matters ranging from trade and energy to defence and digital inclusion. This preparatory engagement reflects the growing importance of structured dialogues and institutional mechanisms to ensure that strategic and economic objectives are systematically advanced ahead of high-level visits.

Trade and economic cooperation remain a central pillar of India-Brazil relations. Both countries have set ambitious targets, aiming to increase bilateral trade to over $20 billion by 2030. Discussions during the dialogue focused on expanding the scope of the existing MERCOSUR-India agreement, exploring new avenues for investment, and facilitating technology exchange in sectors such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, and innovation-driven enterprises. Participants emphasized that deepening trade relations requires not only tariff and regulatory adjustments but also strategic alignment in infrastructure development, industrial collaboration, and technology partnerships.

Defence and technology collaborations were further discussed in detail, highlighting areas such as aerospace, cyber security, joint research programs, and defence manufacturing. Both nations acknowledged the need to modernize military capabilities while ensuring interoperability in joint operations and coordinated approaches to regional security challenges. India’s Make in India initiative and Brazil’s industrial technology programs were seen as complementary frameworks to promote mutual technological growth and strategic autonomy.

The discussions also explored collaboration in emerging sectors like digital inclusion, artificial intelligence, space technology, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. India’s robust IT ecosystem and Brazil’s advancements in data governance, digital infrastructure, and tech policy were identified as areas where mutual learning and joint projects could yield substantial benefits. Both sides agreed to facilitate knowledge sharing, joint research initiatives, and institutional partnerships to build capacity and ensure sustainable technological development.

Environmental and climate cooperation was another crucial aspect of the dialogue. With Brazil set to host COP-30 in November, discussions highlighted joint initiatives in climate action, sustainable energy projects, and environmental conservation. Both nations underscored the importance of leveraging multilateral platforms to promote low-carbon growth, protect biodiversity, and create resilient ecosystems. Collaborative projects in renewable energy, carbon management, and climate adaptation were identified as priority areas to strengthen India-Brazil partnership while advancing global climate objectives.

Throughout the strategic dialogue, both India and Brazil reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional partnership that balances defence, economic, technological, and environmental priorities. The engagement emphasized not only immediate cooperation in bilateral projects but also long-term strategic alignment across global forums. Participants acknowledged the need for continuous follow-up mechanisms to track progress, resolve emerging challenges, and ensure that commitments translate into tangible outcomes on the ground.

The dialogue highlighted the broader geopolitical context as well, particularly the shared interest of India and Brazil in strengthening South-South cooperation, promoting economic self-reliance, and asserting influence in multilateral institutions. Both countries expressed the intention to coordinate positions in BRICS and IBSA, fostering a collaborative approach to global governance, trade negotiations, and sustainable development agendas.

The upcoming visit by President Lula, coupled with the Vice President’s preparatory trip, reflects a high level of political will and structured engagement, signaling that India and Brazil are moving toward a more institutionalized and forward-looking strategic partnership. Through continuous dialogue, joint initiatives, and multilateral coordination, both nations aim to transform bilateral relations into a model of South-South cooperation that is strategically relevant, economically beneficial, and globally recognized.

While the dialogue did not finalize all agreements, it reinforced mutual commitment across multiple sectors, established a roadmap for future collaboration, and provided a framework for addressing emerging global and bilateral challenges. The comprehensive engagement between NSA Ajit Doval, Celso Luis Nunes Amorim, and other senior officials underscores the shared strategic vision, emphasizing that India-Brazil relations are poised to expand in depth and scale, with tangible outcomes expected across defence, trade, energy, health, and climate domains.

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