India has taken a big step toward securing its access to critical minerals by signing a rare earth cooperation agreement with Brazil. The move is aimed at reducing dependence on China and strengthening supply chain resilience.
The agreement was one of several outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in New Delhi. According to PM Modi, the critical minerals pact “could potentially lower dependence on China.”
Brazil too, which holds significant rare earth reserves, sees India as an important partner. Officials said only 30% of Brazil’s reserves have been explored so far, leaving substantial room for future exploration, processing, and industrial use. The partnership could give India access to crucial materials needed for sectors like electronics, clean energy, and defence.
The rare earth agreement is part of a broader push to deepen bilateral ties. In total, India and Brazil signed nine agreements spanning mining, steel supply chains, technology, and defence cooperation.
Modi emphasised the broader vision behind the partnership, saying, “We will continue to strengthen this win-win partnership further.” He also highlighted growing collaboration in cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, blockchain, and supercomputing, calling such cooperation essential for both nations and the wider Global South.
Both countries have set an ambitious goal of expanding bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030. Brazil also announced it would extend business visas for Indian ordinary passport holders to 10 years, making it easier for companies and professionals to collaborate.
Lula framed the partnership in strategic terms, saying, “India and Brazil are crucial voices at the UN, at the WTO and G20.” He added that stronger cooperation between the two nations would be important in navigating global economic uncertainty.
The discussions went beyond trade and minerals. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to defence cooperation, clean energy partnerships, and advancing the priorities of developing nations.
Modi shed light on this shared vision, saying, “When India and Brazil work together the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident.”
