India and Brazil are deepening cooperation across trade, energy, and defense sectors to strengthen their partnership within the BRICS bloc and enhance the collective influence of the Global South amid rising global trade uncertainties.

A joint statement issued after talks between Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed plans to significantly expand the India–MERCOSUR trade agreement, enabling a larger share of bilateral trade to benefit from tariff preferences. MERCOSUR, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, first signed the agreement with India in 2003 to promote trade and economic cooperation.

The renewed push aims to include both tariff and non-tariff measures, reinforcing a more balanced global trade structure. Analysts note that the move is also designed to strengthen the negotiating power of developing nations in areas such as energy security, climate policy, and supply chain resilience.

India and Brazil, both founding members of BRICS and partners in the India–Brazil–South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA), have pledged to raise bilateral trade from $12 billion to $20 billion by 2030. Brazil’s advancements in biofuel technology and India’s growing ethanol program highlight new opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy.

In defense and aviation, cooperation is expanding with Brazilian aerospace major Embraer opening an office in Delhi, and new dialogues on co-development of defense equipment between both nations.

Energy cooperation also remains strong, with India investing over $3.5 billion in Brazil’s upstream petroleum sector. The two sides are exploring offshore energy projects, long-term crude supply deals, and joint initiatives in deepwater exploration.

Together, India and Brazil continue to champion the Global South’s interests — from digital inclusion and food security to sustainable energy — reinforcing their shared vision for an equitable global order.