Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in the national capital on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a significant five-day state visit aimed at deepening the multi-faceted strategic partnership between the two largest democracies of the Global South.
President Lula was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, underscoring the diplomatic importance New Delhi places on the visit. The Brazilian leader’s agenda is packed with high-level political meetings, a major technology summit, and extensive business engagements.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that the visit provides a crucial platform for both nations to chart a "forward-looking agenda" for their bilateral strategic partnership, which has been in place since 2006. The talks are expected to further deepen cooperation not only bilaterally but also on regional and global platforms.
The centerpiece of the visit will be the meeting between President Lula and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. According to the MEA, the two leaders will conduct a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Beyond bilateral issues, the leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing regional and global matters. Key topics will include cooperation in multilateral fora, the push for reformed multilateralism, global governance structures, and issues concerning the Global South—a shared priority for both India and Brazil.
"India and Brazil share a warm, close and multi-faceted Strategic Partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, close people-to-people ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors," the MEA stated.
Before the political talks, President Lula will immerse himself in India's technological landscape. He will be the keynote participant at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19 and 20.
The Brazilian leader’s presence at the summit highlights the growing convergence between the two countries in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, with artificial intelligence emerging as a new and vital pillar of their cooperation.
Reflecting the expanding economic ties, President Lula is accompanied by an impressive entourage of about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs from major Brazilian companies.
While President Lua attends the AI Summit, his accompanying ministers will hold parallel meetings with their Indian counterparts to discuss sector-specific collaboration. Simultaneously, the Brazilian business leaders are expected to participate in a dedicated business forum. This focus on commercial engagement comes as bilateral trade and investment continue to grow, with Brazil currently holding the position of India's largest trading partner in the Latin American region.
This marks President Lula's sixth visit to India. His association with the country dates back to 2004 when he was the Guest of Honour for India's Republic Day. His most recent visit was for the G20 Summit in September 2023.
The leaders have maintained a steady dialogue, with PM Modi undertaking a state visit to Brasilia in July of last year. This consistent high-level engagement underscores the mutual commitment to strengthening ties in areas ranging from defence and energy to trade and technology. The current visit is poised to inject new momentum into a partnership that is increasingly vital for both nations and the Global South at large.
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