As global conflicts disrupt energy markets, Brasília is stepping up with a clear strategic offer: more crude oil and a complementary energy partnership with India.
In an exclusive conversation with StratNews Global, Kenneth H. da Nóbrega, Brazil’s Ambassador to India, described the two countries as natural partners.
“Brazil is self-sufficient in crude oil, but not in refined oil, mainly diesel, so it’s a partnership under the sign of complementarity,” he said.
Brazil is looking to expand crude exports to India through Petrobras, while also encouraging Indian investment in refining capacity in Brazil.
Highlighting recent progress, he pointed to an agreement to significantly increase crude supplies: exports could rise “from around 20 million to 60 million barrels within a year.”
At the same time, Brazil is offering technological collaboration. “More than 80% of Brazilian oil comes from deep sea drilling, we have developed very advanced technology in this field,” he said, noting that this expertise has been offered to Indian partners.
Energy is also central to discussions within BRICS.
“You have major producers and major consumers of oil within BRICS, this discussion can help promote more predictability,” the ambassador said, while acknowledging that the Middle East situation continues to impact the grouping.
Renewables
“The bioenergy, biofuels dialogue between Brazil and India is a mature dialogue,” he said, pointing to multiple engagements across governments, businesses, and research institutions.
He also praised India’s progress: reaching 20% ethanol blending “ahead of schedule” was “really impressive.” The next phase, he said, will focus on regulatory frameworks alongside technology to make biofuels viable at scale.
Critical Minerals
One of the major outcomes of President Lula’s visit in February was an agreement on critical minerals.
“The main goal is to foster convergence between our national strategies, not only exploring but also processing,” the ambassador said, stressing the need to avoid being “mere exporters of raw material.”
He confirmed that an Indian company has already announced investment in lithium projects in Brazil. The South American nation also sees a major role in niobium. “Brazil holds more than 80%, perhaps even more than 90% of the production of niobium, a basic raw material for fast-charging batteries,” he noted.
Defence
On defence, the ambassador indicated ongoing but cautious progress. “There have been a number of missions, exchange of missions, looking for synergies between our defence industries,” he said, while noting some delays due to the current geopolitical situation.
Brazil’s aerospace major Embraer is also expanding engagement in India, including plans discussed during President Lula’s visit for a civil aircraft assembly line in partnership with Indian industry.
“Embraer is looking forward to participating in the bid of Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), launched by the Indian Ministry of Defence. We are very much looking forward to having to win this contract.”
Affordable Healthcare
In the pharmaceutical sector, agreements were signed between Brazilian public labs and Indian companies for cancer drug production.
“Brazil has constitutionally mandated universal healthcare and we are looking for partners to ensure this coverage,” he said.
He added that the pandemic reinforced the need for domestic production of key medicines, making India an “essential partner.”
In agriculture, Brazil is focusing on technology transfer rather than just trade. Brazil is sharing expertise in livestock productivity and tropical agriculture, while Indian firms are partnering with Brazilian research institutions to improve output, particularly in dairy.
At the same time, Brazil is looking to India for capabilities in high-performance computing and precision weather forecasting, critical for agriculture in an era of extreme climate events.
Visas and Mobility
Brazil has also eased mobility for Indians. “We introduced electronic visas. You can apply and get the visa online,” he said.
He added that India now benefits from long-term multiple-entry visas and simplified business travel rules, allowing professionals to work in Brazil without requiring a separate work visa in many cases.
