As global trade realigns under tariff disputes and supply chain restructuring, India and Brazil are positioning for a deeper partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s October 2025 visit to Brasília for the BRICS Summit underscored their shared ambition to enhance trade connectivity, reduce reliance on the US market, and build new South–South logistics corridors. For the air cargo sector, this signals opportunity and complexity: can the two nations turn diplomacy into viable airfreight connectivity?
Shifting geography
Tariff tensions in 2025, especially between the US and emerging economies, have reshaped trade flows. India faces tariffs of up to 50 percent on certain exports, while Brazil’s agricultural and steel products face 40 percent additional duties, affecting about US$14.5 billion in exports. At the BRICS summit, members warned that rising unilateral tariffs and non-tariff barriers risk fragmenting global trade and marginalising the Global South.
Both economies are diversifying. India–Brazil trade reached US$12.5 billion in 2024, up 7 percent year-on-year. India exports pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and manufactured goods; Brazil sends mineral fuels, agricultural commodities, and edible oils. With both moving away from US-dominated routes, the partnership offers a strategic opportunity extending into high-value air cargo.
South-South connectivity
The 17,000 km distance between the two countries is both challenge and differentiator. No direct freighter or passenger belly routes exist; cargo is routed via Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, adding cost and time. Yet demand exists. India’s pharmaceutical exports to Brazil, valued at US$472 million in 2024, need temperature-controlled transit. Brazil’s agricultural exports require fast, traceable cold-chain logistics for Asia’s markets.
Airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, equipped for pharma and perishables, could serve as trans-shipment hubs for Brazilian goods to Asia-Pacific. In turn, São Paulo–Guarulhos and Campinas–Viracopos could handle Indian pharmaceuticals for Latin America. Operators like DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, and LATAM Cargo show feasibility, but India–Brazil capacity remains absent.
Headwinds
Direct air connectivity is missing, and cold-chain readiness in Brazil is inconsistent. Export airports handle perishables mainly for short-haul trade, with limited GDP-compliant storage. Customs processes are complex, and differing standards slow clearance. Harmonising phytosanitary and quality norms could speed up flows. Freight economics also challenge viability—Delhi–São Paulo flights need high yields from pharma, perishables, and express cargo to offset costs.
Policy perspective
A revised Bilateral Air Services Agreement could authorise all-cargo operations. Joint investments in CEIV Pharma and Fresh-certified facilities, as per IATA standards, would unlock perishable trade. Customs authorities could adopt “Green Channel” clearance and shared electronic data systems to reduce clearance times. Private investment and FDI will be key to developing infrastructure, drone pilots, and bonded warehousing. Integrating airfreight with rail and maritime networks under India’s National Logistics Policy and Brazil’s Integrated Logistics Plan could boost efficiency.
Market and outlook
Aggregating high-value exports like biopharma, electronics, and chemicals will be essential to sustain volumes, while Brazilian agri-products can meet India’s demand. The World Bank’s 2024 Logistics Performance Index ranks India 38th and Brazil 51st; both can climb by improving infrastructure and transparency.
The India–Brazil partnership marks a shift from North–South dependence to South–South connectivity. If infrastructure, regulation, and private investment align, the corridor could become a vital South Atlantic logistics route—turning diplomatic intent into sustainable airfreight reality.
