New Delhi, 21 February (H.S.):
India and Brazil have set an ambitious target to elevate bilateral trade beyond $20 billion within the next five years, while agreeing to deepen collaboration in 10 key sectors including defense, energy, digital technology, critical minerals, and health.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House on Saturday, February 21, 2026, culminating in a joint statement that outlined comprehensive discussions on trade, energy, defense, agriculture, climate action, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, and Global South issues.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to surpassing the $20 billion trade milestone, with Prime Minister Modi emphasizing that such exchanges symbolize mutual trust and a robust strategic partnership rather than mere statistics. Brazil, as India's largest trading partner in Latin America, will benefit from expanded India-Mercosur trade agreements to accelerate economic ties.
The nations reached consensus on 10 focal points: securing steel-related mineral supply chains, crafting a digital cooperation roadmap, promoting joint film and media projects, exchanging traditional knowledge, and advancing health, MSMEs, entrepreneurship, mass communication, critical and rare minerals, energy transition, and industrial partnerships.
Brazil announced an extension of business visas for Indian holders up to 10 years.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted technology and innovation as the bedrock of future ties, prioritizing cooperation in AI, supercomputing, semiconductors, and blockchain, alongside establishing a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil to ensure inclusive technological advancement.
Describing energy collaboration as a cornerstone, PM Modi advocated expanding partnerships in hydrocarbons, renewables, ethanol blending, and sustainable aviation fuel, underscoring shared green development goals and critical minerals agreements for resilient supply chains.
Agreements encompass climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming, and bio-fertilizers in farming, while health initiatives will boost affordable, high-quality Indian pharmaceuticals to Brazil and foster traditional medicine exchanges.
Both leaders reiterated calls for urgent UN Security Council reforms and stringent global action against terrorism, viewing it as a threat to humanity transcending religion or nationality. President Lula condemned recent Kashmir attacks and endorsed G4 efforts for Council expansion.
President Lula described the partnership's evolution into an implementation phase across defense, food security, energy transition, digital transformation, and industry, praising India's IT, AI, biotech, and space prowess while positioning both nations as voices for a fairer global order in UN, WTO, and G20 forums.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
