Modi, Lula deepen India-Brazil ties with sweeping deals on AI, critical minerals, defence and trade

New Delhi, February 21. India and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their Strategic Partnership across digital technology, critical minerals, defence, trade, climate action and people-to-people ties following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in New Delhi on February 21.

President Lula, on his fifth visit to India and second state visit, was in the country from February 18 to 22 at Modi’s invitation. He also attended the India AI Impact Summit and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During his stay, he met President Droupadi Murmu, who hosted a State Banquet in his honour, and held extensive bilateral discussions with Modi at Hyderabad House.

The leaders reviewed progress under their 2006 Strategic Partnership and reiterated the five priority pillars identified during Modi’s July 2025 visit to Brasilia – defence and security, food and nutritional security, energy transition and climate change, digital transformation and emerging technologies, and industrial partnerships.

Digital and AI push

A key outcome was the signing of a Joint Declaration on a Digital Partnership for the Future, aimed at strengthening cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The two sides pledged collaboration on AI development, large language models, data protection frameworks and AI applications in education.

They also backed multilateral initiatives on AI governance and welcomed the launch of the Open Planetary Intelligence Network (OPIN), linking digital transformation with climate action and sustainable development goals.

Trade, investment and health

Bilateral trade surged by 25.5 percent in 2025, and the two leaders set a target of $20 billion in trade by 2030. They called for removing non-tariff barriers and addressing anti-dumping issues to boost business confidence.

Both sides welcomed the entry into force of the Cooperation and Facilitation Investment Agreement and amendments to the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, aimed at creating a more predictable investment climate.

Health cooperation emerged as another pillar, with agreements signed between Brazil’s ANVISA and India’s CDSCO to streamline regulatory approvals. The leaders also encouraged joint pharmaceutical production, vaccine collaboration and technology transfer, particularly for rare and socially determined diseases.

Defence, security and counter-terrorism

Defence cooperation received renewed emphasis, including co-design and co-production initiatives linking India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) programme with Brazil’s defence industry. The leaders noted progress in strategic dialogues and welcomed collaboration on submarine maintenance and maritime security.

Both countries strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and called for coordinated global action, including tackling terror financing through platforms such as the UN and FATF. They also agreed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and transnational organised crime.

Climate, energy and critical minerals

Modi congratulated Lula on Brazil’s hosting of COP30 in Belem in 2025 and endorsed initiatives such as the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. The leaders reaffirmed support for expanding sustainable fuels under the ‘Belem 4x Pledge’ and advancing renewable energy cooperation, including biofuels, solar, wind and hydrogen.

Significantly, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in rare earths and critical minerals to strengthen supply chains in mining, processing and recycling – an area seen as vital for clean energy and advanced technologies.

Multilateral reform and Global South

On global governance, both leaders called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and reiterated mutual support for each other’s aspirations for permanent membership in an expanded Council. India welcomed Brazil’s backing for its non-permanent UNSC bid for 2028-29.

They stressed revitalised multilateralism, peaceful dispute resolution and stronger representation of developing countries in global institutions.

Expanding people-to-people links

The two countries agreed to ease mobility and enhance cultural, educational and tourism exchanges. They welcomed the extension of multiple-entry tourist and business visas from five to 10 years on a reciprocal basis and discussed cooperation in sports, media, archival preservation and academic exchanges.

Several government-to-government and private sector agreements were signed, covering digital cooperation, MSMEs, postal services, mining, intellectual property, education, pharmaceuticals and trade promotion.

Expressing satisfaction with the outcomes, the two leaders pledged to continue implementing the strategic roadmap charted during Modi’s 2025 Brazil visit. President Lula voiced Brazil’s support for India’s BRICS presidency in 2026.