India and Brazil on February 21, 2026, signed a rare earth cooperation agreement in New Delhi aimed at diversifying critical mineral supply chains, reducing dependence on China, and strengthening strategic and economic ties. The pact, announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is intended to secure access to materials essential for electronics, clean energy and defence manufacturing and to make bilateral supply chains more resilient.
Rare earths are a group of minerals used in everything from electric vehicle motors and wind turbines to semiconductors and advanced sensors. Brazilian officials said only about 30% of the country’s rare earth reserves have been explored so far, leaving substantial scope for future exploration, processing and industrial use that could supply India’s technology and defence sectors.
The rare earth agreement was one of nine accords signed between the two countries covering mining, steel supply chains, technology partnerships and defence cooperation. Modi described the critical minerals pact as one that “could potentially lower dependence on China” and called the broader set of deals a “win‑win partnership” that India and Brazil will continue to strengthen.
Both governments set an ambitious target to raise bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030. Brazil also announced it will extend business visas for Indian ordinary passport holders to 10 years, a move designed to facilitate corporate and professional exchange and deepen commercial ties.
Beyond minerals and trade, the two leaders highlighted cooperation in advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, blockchain and supercomputing, and reaffirmed commitments to clean energy collaboration and defence ties. Modi said that such cooperation is essential not only for the two nations but also for the wider Global South.
Lula framed the partnership as strategically important on the global stage, saying “India and Brazil are crucial voices at the UN, at the WTO and G20.” Modi added that “when India and Brazil work together the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident,” signalling the diplomatic as well as commercial ambitions underpinning the new agreements.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/pm-modi-lula-ink-rare-earths-agreement-as-india-moves-to-future-proof-critical-mineral-supply-chains-reduce-dependency-on-china-13982334.html
Category: India
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-22 05:24:00
