Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the growing cooperation in defence between India and Brazil is a “symbol of deep mutual trust” and the two countries have a similar thinking on the fight against terrorism — “zero tolerance and zero double standards”. After meeting PM Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday his country aims to triple trade flows with India from $12 billion last year “in the short term”, without giving a more specific time frame. Speaking alongside Modi in Brasilia, Lula also said Brazilian planemaker Embraer wants to strengthen its presence in India, partnering with companies there. Lula also said expanding a preferential trade agreement between India and South American bloc Mercosur could help reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers that are limiting trade. The two leaders met in Brasilia, after they attended the BRICS leaders summit in Rio de Janeiro. Modi said, “We have a similar thinking on the fight against terrorism — zero tolerance and zero double standards. We are clear that there is no place for double standards on terrorism. We strongly oppose terrorism and those who support terrorism.” “The growing cooperation in the field of defence is a symbol of our deep mutual trust. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries,” PM Modi said. Six agreements were signed — on combating terrorism and transnational organised crime, renewable energy, digital solutions, intellectual property, agricultural research and mutual protection of classified information. Modi said cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputers is also growing. “This is a proof of our common thinking of inclusive development and human-centric innovation. Both sides are also working together on the adoption of UPI in Brazil. We will be happy to share India's successful experience in areas like digital public infrastructure and space with Brazil.” Stating that cooperation in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry is decades old, he said, “Now we will also work together on agricultural research and food processing. We are also increasing our win-win cooperation in the field of health. We emphasised on the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil.” Calling President Lula the “chief architect of India-Brazil strategic partnership”, he said, “We have set a target to take bilateral trade to 20 billion dollars in the coming five years. “Football is the passion of Brazil, cricket is the passion of the people of India. Whether the ball crosses the boundary, or scores a goal, when both are in the same team, a partnership of 20 billion is not difficult. We will also work together to expand the India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement,” he said. The PM said cooperation in the field of energy is constantly growing. “Environment and clean energy are the main priorities of both the countries. The agreement that has been made today to increase cooperation in this area will give new direction and momentum to our green goals. I wish President Lula all the best for the COP30 meeting to be held in Brazil this year,” Modi said. Underlining that India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination at the global level, Modi said, “As two large democratic countries, our cooperation is relevant not only for the Global South, but for the entire humanity. We believe that it is our moral obligation to raise the concerns and priorities of the Global South at global forums.” “Today, when the world is going through a period of tension and uncertainty…this India-Brazil partnership is an important pillar of stability and balance. We are unanimous that all disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.” PM Modi was on Tuesday conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The honour was presented by President Lula in recognition of PM Modi’s notable contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing India-Brazil cooperation across key global platforms. This is PM Modi's fourth-stop in the five-nation trip, in which he visited Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Brazil. He will visit Namibia before returning to Delhi.
