India and Brazil are preparing to roll out a set of joint initiatives in medicines, health technology and research, signalling a deeper push to expand cooperation between the two strategic partners. The development follows a meeting between Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Brazil’s Health Minister Alexandre Padilha on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Officials said the talks focused on improving access to affordable healthcare, enhancing coordination in medical product regulations and expanding collaboration in digital health ecosystems. Both sides also discussed strengthening research and innovation partnerships, especially in leveraging emerging technologies to improve healthcare delivery across developing nations.
Nadda invited his Brazilian counterpart to participate in the upcoming BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting, underscoring growing alignment between the two countries within multilateral frameworks.
The renewed health partnership comes during Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s five-day state visit to India from February 18 to 22. Leading the largest-ever Brazilian delegation to the country, Lula is attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. The joint project announcements are expected following these high-level talks.
The Brazilian President’s itinerary also includes a banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu. Accompanied by over 300 business leaders and more than a dozen cabinet ministers, the visit reflects an expansive agenda covering trade, defence, energy, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, rare earths and Global South cooperation.
With health emerging as an important new area of engagement, the proposed initiatives are expected to further strengthen India-Brazil ties across both bilateral and multilateral platforms.
