The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is on a five-nation tour, visiting Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. After Ghana, he is visiting Trinidad and Tobago, and then Argentina, Brazil and finally Namibia.

India_and_Brazil_s_cultural_relations (1)png.png — PM Modi with President Lula during BRICS 2024

He will visit Brazil for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit which is taking place between July 5 and 8 in Rio de Janeiro. PM Modi will meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

After the BRICS meeting, PM will travel to Brasilia for a State visit, where he and President Lula will discuss ways to expand the strategic partnership between both the countries. Brazil is currently India's biggest trading partner in South America. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday highlighted that Brazil has expressed significant interest in in India's defence capabilities, particularly in securing communication systems, offshore patrol vessels, the Akash Air Defence system and the Garuda Artillery Gun as part of defence collaboration between the two nations.

Not only in terms of trading, but in cultural aspects also, India and Brazil have very strong connections.

Cultural Similarities in India and Brazil

Over the years, Indian culture, religion, and philosophy have found a warm and welcoming home in Brazil. Indian spiritual organizations like the Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Satya Sai Baba Foundation, Bhakti Vedanta Foundation, and others have active chapters across the country.

These spiritual organizations, along with many Brazilian followers, have played a significant role in introducing Indian traditions to this South American nation.

Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, and Kuchipudi are now taught and performed in Brazil. These colorful and expressive art forms fit perfectly with Brazil’s own love for celebration, rhythm, and movement, making the two cultures a natural match.

How the Cultural Transaction Started?

The first major step in cultural cooperation came in 2011 when India opened its first cultural centre in Latin America named the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in São Paulo. Since then, yoga and classical dance classes have become popular, with the Indian government sending teachers to cities like São Paulo and Brasília.

Swami_Vivekananda_Cultural_Centre_in_São_Paulo.png

In 2020, a Cultural Exchange Program was signed between the two countries, further boosting cultural ties.

Yoga, especially, has gained strong ground in Brazil. Practiced widely across the country, it has even become part of the public-school curriculum in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul from July 2024. Regular yoga sessions are held at the Indian Embassy, and the International Day of Yoga is celebrated enthusiastically in cities large and small.

Amb @dineshbhatia & Mrs Seema Bhatia hosted #IDY2025 with enthusiastic participation of Brazilian Yoga practitioners.

Emb @dineshbhatia & Sra. Seema Bhatia hospedaram #IDY2025 com a participação entusiasmada de praticantes de Yoga brasileiros. pic.twitter.com/AX1X4MB5bG
— India In Brazil (@indiainbrazil) June 21, 2025

Brazil also shares India’s admiration for Mahatma Gandhi. Statues of the great leader can be found in major cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador, Londrina, and Cuiabá. In Salvador, a group called Filhos de Gandhy (Sons of Gandhi) honors his legacy with street parades during carnival, dressed in traditional Gandhian white clothing.

Many Brazilians have been honored for their work in spreading Indian thought and values. Professoor Lia Diskin and Ms. Gloria Arieira received India’s prestigious Padma Shri award in 2020. Prof Dilip Loundo was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2023 for his promotion of Indian philosophy. Most recently, in May 2025, Brazilian spiritual teacher Jonas Masetti received the Padma Shri for his efforts in sharing Indian knowledge and teachings through his Gurukulam, Vishva Vidya.

Recently, as India celebrated Jagannath Ji's Rath Yatra. Similarly, Brazil had its first ever ratha yatra too.

Amb @dineshbhatia joined the spirited first-ever Ratha Yatra procession alongside Brazilian devotees in Brasília.

Emb @dineshbhatia participou com entusiasmo do primeiro Ratha Yatra realizado em Brasília, ao lado de devotos brasileiros. pic.twitter.com/nAlFFD30tv
— India In Brazil (@indiainbrazil) June 15, 2025

Bollywood Party in Brazil

It would be no exaggeration to say that Brazilians love Bollywood. In Sao Paulo, a unique street party called "Bloco Bollywood" is organized every year taking cue from the Brazilian Carnival. Launched in 2016 by the Indian community, it features Bollywood music, some energetic dancing on Bollywood beats, and traditional Indian dances alongside Brazilian samba. The event has become a symbol of cultural exchange between India and Brazil. It draws large crowds, with streets reverberating with Bollywood songs and

Strong Family Ties

If you think that Indian warmth is unique, think again as Brazil stands very close ith a strong emphasis on family, tradition, and close-knit communities. Just like in Indian society, Brazilians value relationships built over time. Family plays a central role, with strong emphasis on warm, close relationships, extended family ties, just like in India where the fundamental unit of society is very much a family. In fact, senior members of the family are very much cared for respected in a Brazilian household. Celebrating festivals together, and meeting frequently are high-points of Brazilian social life, sharing huge similarities with Indian families.

In Brazil, there is humungous and genuine interest in India’s culture, religion, performing arts and philosophy. Brazilians enjoy everything from Indian food, spiritual practices like meditation and Yoga, cultural nuggets like classical as well as Bollywood dancing.and shared family values. Both nations, quite apart geographically sync really well culturally

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