🇮🇳🤝🇧🇷 India–Brazil Relations: A Strategic South–South Partnership | UPSC
📌 Topic: GS-II (International Relations), Prelims (Current Affairs), Essay (India and Global South)
🧭 Introduction
India and Brazil are two of the largest democracies and economies in the Global South. Their relationship is rooted in shared values, multilateral cooperation, and common developmental challenges. As members of BRICS, G20, IBSA, and BASIC, the two nations work closely on global governance, climate justice, and economic development.
🌍 Historical Background
- Diplomatic ties established: 1948
- Embassies: India in Brasília, Brazil in New Delhi
- Shared global vision: Democracy, multipolarity, South-South cooperation
🤝 Key Areas of Cooperation
INDIA – THE VOICE OF GLOBAL SOUTH
| Domain | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Multilateral Forums | BRICS, G20, IBSA, UN reforms, WTO, BASIC (climate) |
| Trade & Investment | ~$12 billion bilateral trade (2023–24) |
| Agriculture | Exchange in agri-tech, ethanol, food security |
| Energy | Biofuel cooperation, renewables, Global Biofuel Alliance |
| Defence | Joint military exercises, space and cyber cooperation |
| Science & Technology | Space (ISRO–INPE), biotech, digital infrastructure |
| Cultural Exchanges | Yoga, Ayurveda, academic collaborations |
📊 Economic Ties (as of 2024–25)
| India’s exports to Brazil | Engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles |
| India’s imports from Brazil | Crude oil, gold, soy, sugar, edible oils |
| Strategic Interests | Energy security, food security, rare earth collaboration |
Brazil Border sharing Countries
🌱 Recent Developments (2023–25)
✅ 1. G20 Collaboration
- Brazil will host G20 Summit 2024; India (hosted in 2023) supported AU membership, biofuel alliance, and digital inclusion—continued under Brazil’s leadership.
✅ 2. Global Biofuel Alliance
- India, Brazil, and the US co-founded this to promote clean energy transitions.
- Brazil’s ethanol experience is key to India’s green goals.
✅ 3. BRICS Expansion & Reforms
- Joint push for UNSC reforms and de-dollarisation of trade.
🧠 UPSC Notes
🔹 Prelims Pointers
- Brazil Capital: Brasília | Currency: Brazilian Real
- Common Memberships: BRICS, G20, IBSA, BASIC, WTO
- Global Biofuel Alliance: Co-founded by India, Brazil, US in 2023
🔹 Mains Question (GS-II)
Q. Evaluate the strategic significance of India–Brazil relations in the context of South-South cooperation and multilateral diplomacy. (250 words)
🔮 Challenges
- Geographical distance
- Trade imbalances
- Low people-to-people connectivity
- Visa & logistics issues
For Self UPSC Studyhttps://upscuniverse360.com/
📝 Conclusion
India–Brazil relations exemplify the new face of South–South cooperation—equal, inclusive, and future-focused. With synergy in energy, agriculture, technology, and multilateral reform, the partnership is set to deepen amid rising Global South influence.
OUR SOCIAL HANDLE
https://youtube.com/@upscuniverse360?si=7Vv55gByGqxpSqv2
2022
Consider the following pairs:
| Country | Important reason for being in the news recently | ||
| 1. | Chad | – | Setting up of permanent military base by China |
| 2. | Guinea | – | Suspension of Constitution and Government by military |
| 3. | Lebanon | – | Severe and prolonged economic depression |
| 4. | Tunisia | – | Suspension of Parliament by President |
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A Only one pair
- B Only two pairs
- C Only three pairs
- D All four pairs
Consider the following pairs:
| Region often mentioned in the news | Country | ||
| 1. | Anatolia | – | Turkey |
| 2. | Amhara | – | Ethiopia |
| 3. | Cabo Delgado | – | Spain |
| 4. | Catalonia | – | Italy |
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A Only one pair
- B Only two pairs
- C Only three pairs
- D All four pairs
The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?
- A Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
- B Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
- C Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
- D The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Consider the following countries:
- Azerbaijan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?
- A 1, 2 and 5 only
- B 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- C 3, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Consider the following:
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- Missile Technology Control Regime
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Indians a member of which of the above?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Consider the following statements
- Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years.
- Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
- Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
- For a long time Vietnam’s low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
- Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A 2 and 4 only
- B 3 and 5 only
- C 1, 3 and 4 only
- D 1 and 2 only
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
- It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
- It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
- It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 3 only
- B 1 and 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1 and 2 only
Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’ ?
- A It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
- B It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
- C It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
- D It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
- The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
- Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
- Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Consider the following statements :
- Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
- Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
- Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 3 only
Consider the following countries :
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Romania
- Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?
- A 1, 2 and 4 only
- B 1 and 3 only
- C 2 and 5 only
- D 3, 4 and 5 only
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
- A It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
- B China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
- C A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
- D Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
With reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements :
- It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
- It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Consider the following statements: The India-Africa Summit
- held in 2015 was the third such Summit
- was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is
- A a division of World Health Organization
- B a non-governmental international organization
- C an inter-governmental agency sponsored by European Union
- D a specialized agency of the United Nations
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
- A Iran
- B Saudi Arabia
- C Oman
- D Kuwait
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of
- A African Union
- B Brazil
- C European Union
- D China
‘Global Financial Stability Report’ is prepared by the
- A European Central Bank
- B International Monetary Fund
- C International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- D Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
- A G20
- B ASEAN
- C SCO
- D SAARC
‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
- A agency created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East
- B agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
- C agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade
- D agency of EU to deal with the conflicts arising among the member countries
With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements :
- It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.
- It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.
- It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
2015
The Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news related to the affairs of
- A ASEAN
- B BRICS
- C OECD
- D WTO
The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the
- A Food and Agriculture Organization
- B United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
- C World Trade Organization
- D United Nations Environment Programme
What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
- A It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
- B It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization
- C It is a Conference of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- D It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity
India is a member of which among the following?
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Association of South-East Asian Nations
- East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D India is a member of none of them
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, consider the following statements:
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
- It is an affiance meant for maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/ participants?
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- China
- Myanmar
- Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 only
- B 3 and 4 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 5 only
Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
- A Syria and Jordan
- B Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
- C Philippines and Papua New Guinea
- D Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam
‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is
- A a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- B a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum
- C an agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
- D a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit.
Consider the following countries:
- China
- France.
- India
- Israel
- Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- C 2, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
2014
With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS consider the following statements
- The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
- South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Consider the following countries
- Denmark
- Japan
- Russian Federation
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
- A 1, 2 and 3 only
- B 2, 3 and 4 only
- C 1, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 3 and 5 onlr
Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from
- A Egypt
- B Lebanon
- C Syria
- D Tunisia
Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook’?
- A The International Monetary Fund
- B The United Nations Development Programme
- C The World Economic Forum
- D The World Bank
INDIA AND BRAZIL