New Delhi: In a significant move to secure raw materials for its expanding steel industry, India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil to enhance cooperation in mining and critical minerals.
The agreement between India’s Ministry of Steel and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy was exchanged at Hyderabad House in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Addressing the joint press meet with President Lula of Brazil.@LulaOficial
https://t.co/hbeJiV7tF5— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2026
Framework to Strengthen Steel Value Chain
The MoU sets up an institutional framework aimed at deepening bilateral collaboration across the steel ecosystem. The primary focus is to ensure reliable, sustainable access to essential raw materials required for steel production.
Focus Areas of Cooperation
The two countries will work together on several strategic fronts, including:
- Attracting investments in mineral exploration, mining and infrastructure
- Advancing mineral processing and recycling capabilities
- Promoting automation and next-generation mining technologies
- Using artificial intelligence for geoscientific data analysis
- Exchanging best practices in extraction, processing and environmental management
Officials believe the partnership will significantly improve exploration efficiency and resource utilisation.
Other strong pillars of the India-Brazil friendship are sectors like energy, agriculture, critical minerals, education, defence and multilateral issues. Our discussions today also included how to enhance the people-to-people linkages between our nations. pic.twitter.com/C1siwtIMjc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2026
Brazil’s Resource Advantage
Brazil is among the world’s top iron ore producers and possesses substantial reserves of key steelmaking minerals such as manganese, nickel and niobium. Enhanced collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s access to these critical inputs while opening doors to advanced technologies.
Supporting India’s Growth Plans
India’s steelmaking capacity currently stands at about 218 million tonnes and is steadily expanding to meet rising domestic demand driven by rapid infrastructure development and industrial growth.
The government sees the MoU as a strategic step toward securing vital mineral resources, accelerating technology adoption, and reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of the India–Brazil steel supply chain.
