New Delhi (TDI): India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held high-level talks on Saturday in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths, essential for technologies ranging from electric vehicles and solar panels to smartphones and defense systems.
Brazil holds the world’s second-largest reserves of these minerals, while India is seeking to reduce its dependence on China, the dominant global supplier. New Delhi has been expanding domestic production and recycling capacities while scouting for alternative sources abroad. Lula, leading a delegation of ministers and business leaders, arrived earlier this week for a global summit and received a ceremonial welcome, including tributes to India’s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.
Officials said the two leaders are expected to sign a memorandum on critical minerals and explore opportunities to expand trade links. Bilateral trade reached $15 billion in 2025, with a target of $20 billion by 2030. Brazil is India’s largest partner in Latin America, exporting sugar, crude oil, vegetable oils, cotton, and iron ore. The demand for iron ore has surged in India due to rapid infrastructure expansion and industrial growth, as the country is on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
Experts note that India’s growing cooperation with Brazil complements partnerships with the United States, France, and the European Union, granting New Delhi access to advanced technologies, finance, and processing capabilities.
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Modi and Lula are also expected to discuss challenges to multilateral trade systems and the global economy, particularly after both nations were affected by US tariffs in 2025, according to AFP.
Washington has since pledged to roll back duties on Indian goods under a recently announced trade deal. Brazilian diplomat Susan Kleebank, Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, said the meetings will provide an opportunity to exchange views on multilateralism and international trade.
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Brazilian companies are expanding their presence in India, with Embraer and the Adani Group announcing plans to build aircraft locally. Lula also addressed the AI Impact Summit in Delhi on Thursday, advocating for an inclusive multilateral governance framework for artificial intelligence. He is scheduled to continue his tour to South Korea to meet President Lee Jae Myung and attend a business forum.
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he expects the talks to inject “new momentum” into India-Brazil ties, praising Lula’s guidance on advancing the strategic partnership.
