Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon has highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and Brazil, emphasising their longstanding ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors, including defence, aerospace and space.
Addressing Brazil’s National Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday, Tandon said the partnership was helping both countries navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
He conveyed India’s greetings to the people and government of Brazil on the occasion of the country’s Republic Day and congratulated them on the successful conclusion of the presidential elections. He also extended his best wishes to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his next presidential term.
Highlighting the historical foundations of bilateral relations, Tandon noted that Brazil was independent India’s first embassy in South America. He said the two countries shared common global interests, historical links and mutually beneficial cooperation, supported by frequent high-level political engagements.
Describing the relationship as a strategic partnership, he said closer cooperation between the two countries strengthened their ability to respond to rapidly evolving geopolitical developments.
Tandon also underlined the ambitious economic agenda set by the two countries, including a bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion by 2030. He said India and Brazil were working to expand cooperation in defence, aerospace, space and other strategic sectors critical to their security.
Brazil’s Ambassador to India, Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega, also highlighted the growing economic and strategic engagement between the two countries, stating that bilateral trade was expected to reach USD 20 billion in the near future.
He described India as Brazil’s fifth-largest trading partner and said political commitment and expanding business ties were providing fresh momentum to bilateral relations ahead of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The ambassador highlighted cooperation in critical minerals, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, healthcare, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
He also noted recent progress in connecting the two countries’ efforts on rare earths and critical minerals, strengthening pharmaceutical research and innovation, and establishing a broader digital partnership.
On trade cooperation, the envoy said concrete progress had been made in negotiations to expand the trade agreement between India and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).
He also appreciated India’s leadership during its BRICS chairmanship, particularly its efforts to facilitate discussions among member countries on complex global issues.
-ANI
