Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has invited Indian pharmaceutical companies to set up manufacturing units in Brazil and explore joint research opportunities in the healthcare sector, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
Addressing a special media briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Brazil, MEA Secretary (East) P. Kumaran highlighted President Lula’s enthusiasm for deeper collaboration with India in the pharmaceutical sector.
“President Lula welcomed Indian companies to manufacture drugs and pharmaceuticals in Brazil. He also proposed joint research and fast-track regulatory approvals for Indian drugs, particularly those already approved by the US FDA or EDQM,” Kumaran said.
India’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, noted that 15 major Indian pharmaceutical companies already operate in Brazil, with many engaged in local manufacturing. He emphasised that both leaders supported expanding this collaboration beyond exports, focusing on joint production for Brazil’s public health system.
“President Lula was very enthusiastic about accessing affordable Indian medicines for Brazil’s public healthcare. Additionally, ANVISA, Brazil’s drug regulatory authority, has recently opened an office in New Delhi, which will help accelerate approvals and foster regulatory alignment,” Bhatia added.
In addition to pharmaceuticals, PM Modi and President Lula discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation areas:
- Health and Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Digitalisation and Public Infrastructure
- Sports, Tourism, and People-to-People Exchanges
- Climate Action and Sustainability
The two leaders signed an MoU on agricultural research, and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in digital technologies and climate change, with India supporting Brazil’s upcoming leadership at COP30.
PM Modi’s visit to Brazil, which also included participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, marked a major step forward in bilateral relations. Following the conclusion of his Brazil visit, PM Modi departed for Namibia, the final leg of his three-nation tour.