Brazil President Lula to Visit India from Feb 18–22; Bilateral Talks with PM Modi on Feb 21
PTI
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday. During the visit, President Lula will also attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19–20.
The visit comes months after Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit to Brazil in July last year, underscoring the growing momentum in India–Brazil ties.
India and Brazil share a long-standing strategic partnership rooted in democratic values, economic cooperation, and South-South collaboration. Both countries are founding members of BRICS and the G20 and have consistently supported reforms in global governance institutions.
The two nations elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2006. Since then, cooperation has expanded across trade, defence, energy, agriculture, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.
In recent years, bilateral trade between India and Brazil has witnessed steady growth, making Brazil India’s largest trading partner in Latin America. Both sides have also strengthened engagement in multilateral forums, including BRICS, where issues such as development finance, climate change, and reform of international institutions have been key priorities.
Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said President Lula’s State Visit will span five days, with February 21 marked as the main day for official engagements.
President Lula is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. On the same day, he will be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu and is expected to meet the Vice-President of India and other dignitaries.
The Brazilian President will be accompanied by senior ministers and a business delegation. According to the MEA, several business-focused events are planned to enhance economic engagement and investment flows between the two countries.
President Lula will also participate in the second AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19–20. The summit is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on economies and societies.
Official Statements
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the briefing, “At the invitation of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, will be paying a State Visit to India from 18th to 22nd February 2026. President Lula will be participating in the second AI Summit, which is to be held from 19th to 20th February here in Delhi.”
Earlier this year, on January 23, Prime Minister Modi received a telephone call from President Lula. According to an official statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership.
India noted that significant progress has been made in bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment, technology, defence, energy, health, agriculture, and people-to-people ties. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues and underlined the importance of reformed multilateralism.
Areas of Cooperation
During Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit to Brazil in July 2025, the two leaders held both restricted and delegation-level talks. Discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, health and pharmaceuticals, space, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, energy security, infrastructure development, and digital public infrastructure such as UPI.
New and emerging areas such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, digital collaboration, and mobility were also explored. Cooperation in traditional medicine, yoga, culture, sports, and educational exchanges has further strengthened people-to-people ties.
The upcoming visit is expected to build on these discussions and provide fresh direction to bilateral initiatives.
Diplomatic experts view the visit as a sign of deepening engagement between two major emerging economies. Analysts note that collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure aligns with both countries’ development priorities.
Industry bodies in India have welcomed the inclusion of a business delegation, highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, agri-technology, pharmaceuticals, and digital payments. Observers also point to Brazil’s importance as a gateway to the Latin American market for Indian companies.
Political observers have emphasized the shared positions of India and Brazil on global governance reforms and climate action, particularly within the G20 and BRICS frameworks.
President Lula’s visit reflects the strategic importance both nations attach to their partnership. As two influential voices from the Global South, India and Brazil have consistently advocated for inclusive development and reform of multilateral institutions.
The focus on artificial intelligence during the AI Impact Summit signals a forward-looking agenda. As emerging technologies reshape global economies, collaboration between India’s digital innovation ecosystem and Brazil’s growing tech sector could open new avenues for joint research, investment, and policy alignment.
The presence of a business delegation also indicates an emphasis on translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic outcomes. With global supply chains undergoing shifts, deeper India–Brazil trade and investment links could offer resilience and diversification for both economies.
President Lula’s State Visit to India from February 18–22 marks a significant moment in bilateral ties. With high-level talks scheduled and participation in the AI Impact Summit, the visit is expected to further consolidate the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership.
As both nations continue to expand cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors, the visit underscores their shared commitment to shaping a balanced and inclusive global order.
Final Thoughts from Chronicle
President Lula’s upcoming State Visit to India represents more than a diplomatic engagement; it reflects the steady evolution of a partnership between two leading democracies of the Global South. Over the past two decades, India and Brazil have moved beyond traditional trade relations to embrace cooperation in technology, renewable energy, defence, and digital infrastructure.
The renewed focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies indicates that both countries are positioning themselves for the next phase of global economic transformation. As geopolitical uncertainties and economic shifts continue worldwide, stronger India–Brazil collaboration could provide stability and new growth opportunities.
The visit also highlights the shared belief of both nations in reformed multilateralism and inclusive global governance. If discussions translate into concrete initiatives, this visit could mark another important step in strengthening strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Brasília.
