Yoga, Bollywood, and democracy… this is the foundation of strong relations between India and Brazil.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the G-20 summit held in Brazil. A glimpse of Indian culture and tradition was seen in the welcome of PM Modi who arrived on a Brazil tour. Not only this, when PM met President Lula da Silva, the warmth of relations between the two countries was clearly visible.

India has diplomatic relations with Brazil that are about 75 years old. Only 4 thousand Indians live in a country with a population of 21.72 crores, but the deep influence of Indian culture and traditions is visible in Brazil. Yoga, Bollywood, and democracy are three important aspects that are strongly connecting the two countries.

Yoga craze in Brazil

Apart from bilateral trade relations between Brazil and India, both countries are culturally very close to each other. When International Yoga Day was celebrated for the first time in 2015, it was also organized in 12 cities in Brazil. Brazil has a large population practicing yoga and Ayurveda. The yoga craze is such that since 2017, yoga has been taught daily in the Indian Embassy in Brazil. A special session has also been organized in the Brazilian Parliament on the importance of yoga.

Not only this, the people of Brazil are also very interested in Indian culture, religion, performing arts, and philosophy. Apart from Ramakrishna Mission, ISKON, and Bhakti Vedanta Foundation, many spiritual gurus and organizations have registered their presence in Brazil.

Bollywood also established its roots

Brazil has a history of musical and cultural diversity. Although Hollywood has dominated the Brazilian entertainment industry, Bollywood has also made significant inroads in Brazil a few years ago. In 2009, a Portuguese-language soap opera called Bharat: Ek Prem Katha was a huge hit in Brazil. The show depicted inter-ethnic romance in India, with Brazilian actors not only dancing to Indian songs but also speaking Hindi.

This series was loved a lot in Brazil. After this program which attracted more than 3 crore viewers, the interest of Brazilian people in Indian culture and cinema increased. Veteran Brazilian filmmaker Suzana Amaral has also described herself as a Hindi film enthusiast. She had told in an interview that she has been watching Indian films since the 70s.

The popularity of Indian cinema in Brazil can be gauged from the fact that in May 2014, the Brazilian Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on the completion of 100 years of Indian cinema.

Supporter of democratic values

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, is highly respected in Brazil. The Brazilian government and NGOs have been trying to inspire their citizens, especially students, youth and police, to follow the principle of non-violence. Both countries have a democratic system and Brazil, like India, also prefers democratic values.

Peace, cooperation and sustainable development are the mainstays of India-Brazil bilateral relations. Along with India, Brazil has also been advocating for reform in the United Nations Security Council. Not only this, the stance and priority of both the countries have been the same on many global issues including climate change, clean and equitable energy transition.