Indian Community in Brazil

The Indian community in Brazil is estimated to be around 5,000 people, which are mainly immigrants or expatriates from India. Majority of them are living in the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Manaus, with about 2500-3000 Indians estimated to be living in the State of Sao Paulo and Sao Paulo city. Several professionals were also working in oil & gas sector in Rio de Janeiro, but the size of community in Rio has declined substantially due to the economic downturn during the last decade.

          The Indian community in Brazil comprises primarily of professionals and businessmen, along with some scientists/researchers working in universities and research institutions in Brazil. Some members of Indian community are involved in trade (textiles and consumer goods). However, NRI community in Brazil primarily includes professionals working in the local offices of Indian companies, primarily IT and Pharma sectors. Major Indian companies in Brazil include TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, Mahindra, Lupin, Dr. Reddy`s, Accord, Aditya Birla Group, UPL, Sterlite.

          The Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) community includes members of Sindhi community arriving from Suriname and Central America, settling in the city of Manaus in 1960s. This first wave of immigration also includes people who migrated from Goa, and other Portuguese colonies (Mozambique). The second wave of immigration within Indian community includes professors and scientists from India, who were employed in government educational and scientific research institutions in Brazil in the fields of space, agriculture, physics, and biotechnology.

          There are very few Indian students studying in Brazilian Universities, which can be attributed due to challenges of language, distance, and lack of collaborations between educational institutions in the two countries. Indian Mission / Post have information about 4-5 Indian students who are involved in specialized research fields.

          Indian Association of Sao Paulo (IASP) (https://www.facebook.com/IASP-464676800233355/?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser) is the sole Indian community organization in Brazil, which organizes events to celebrate national days and community festivals. The most visible celebration by the Indian community in Brazil is “Bloco Bollywood”, the Indian street carnival in Sao Paulo which attracts thousands of people.

.