New Delhi witnessed a pivotal diplomatic encounter on Saturday as India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The meeting focused on advancing the strategic partnership between the two nations, marking a significant step in their bilateral relations.
Post-meeting, Jaishankar shared his thoughts on X, expressing honor at meeting the President during his state visit to India. He praised Lula’s warm sentiments and guidance towards strengthening their strategic partnership. Jaishankar expressed confidence that Lula’s upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inject new momentum into India-Brazil ties.
Following the discussion, President Lula proceeded to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi. A bilateral meeting between Modi and Lula is scheduled later, expected to cover a wide array of bilateral, regional, and global issues. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the leaders would review all aspects of bilateral relations, including cooperation in multilateral forums, reformed multilateralism, global governance, and matters concerning the Global South.
Lula arrived in India on February 18 for the second AI Impact Summit, accompanied by a high-level delegation of 14 ministers and top CEOs from Brazilian companies. These ministers are set to engage with their Indian counterparts to explore collaborative opportunities.
This marks Lula’s sixth visit to India, his first being in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations, and most recently in September 2023 for the G20 Summit. Prime Minister Modi and President Lula have maintained frequent interactions, including Modi’s historic state visit to Brasilia in July 2025—the first by an Indian PM in 57 years—and their meeting at the G20 in Johannesburg in November 2025.
India and Brazil share a robust strategic partnership rooted in democratic values, people-to-people ties, and growing cooperation in key sectors. Brazil remains India’s largest trading partner in the LAC region, with deepening engagement in trade, investment, defense, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, energy—including renewables, critical minerals, rare earth materials—science, technology, innovation, digital public infrastructure, AI, space, and people-to-people contacts.
Both nations align on critical global issues such as UN reforms, climate change, and counter-terrorism. Lula’s state visit presents a prime opportunity to fortify this partnership, setting a forward agenda for mutual benefits across bilateral, regional, and global platforms.