India and Brazil, two major emerging economies and key members of the BRICS alliance, are deepening their economic cooperation in response to punitive tariffs imposed by the United States. As both nations face growing trade restrictions and political friction with Washington, they have begun charting a joint course to diversify their trade partnerships, strengthen multilateral frameworks, and reinforce their economic sovereignty.

On October 8, senior officials from both countries met in New Delhi for the seventh meeting of the India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM), a platform designed to address trade concerns, identify new areas of cooperation, and explore bilateral investment opportunities. The meeting, led by Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Brazilian Secretary of Foreign Trade Tatiana Lacerda Prazeres, signaled a significant step in strengthening the long-term economic relationship between the two nations.

According to an official statement, discussions focused on expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the South American trading bloc MERCOSUR, of which Brazil is a founding member. The sides also explored ways to deepen cooperation in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, small and medium enterprises, finance, and renewable energy. Both New Delhi and Brasília view closer economic integration as essential to countering the effects of the recent tariff shock from Washington and reducing their dependence on Western-dominated trade channels.

The timing of the TMM meeting reflects a shared urgency between India and Brazil to find alternative trade avenues. In August, the administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping 50% tariffs on imports from both countries a move widely criticized as politically motivated and protectionist.

For Brazil, the tariffs were partly linked to the prosecution of former President Jair........

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