Modi, Lula agree to boost defence, counterterror ties; PM receives Brazil’s highest civilian honour

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held wide-ranging discussions in Brasilia on Tuesday and agreed to expand bilateral defence and counterterror partnerships. They also decided to deepen cooperation in the framework of Global South.

Modi arrived in the Brazilian capital Brasilia on Monday, marking the second leg of his visit to Brazil after concluding a "very productive" trip to Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Summit. Upon his arrival, the PM was received at the airport by Brazil's defence minister Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho.

Later in the day, Modi was conferred with Brazil's highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The honour was presented by Brazilian President Lula in recognition of the PM's contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing India-Brazil cooperation across key global platforms. This is the 26th international honour bestowed upon the PM by a foreign government since he assumed office in May 2014.


India's ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, had said on Sunday that both sides are expected to sign four agreements. These will cover cooperation in renewable energy, counterterrorism, agricultural research and exchange & mutual protection of confidential information.

The trade relationship between India and Brazil remains strong. In 2024-25, bilateral trade reached $12.2 billion. India and Brazil since 2020 have been focusing on defence industry partnership.

A defence agreement signed in 2003 was ratified in 2006. It created a Joint Defence Committee as an institutional mechanism. With a total of 14 exchanges at the level of chiefs, the last two years stand out with the Chief of the Air Staff visiting Brazil and chiefs of the Brazilian army, navy and air force visiting India in quick succession.

Brazil's air force is in the process of modernising its fleet and has shown interest in collaborating with India. Brazil has also shown keen interest in missile systems, particularly the BrahMos and Akash. The Akash system could enhance Brazil's air defence infrastructure. Brazil's air force product Embraer has developed C-390 Millennium and India has shown interest in that collaboration.