Portrait of Lula da Silva
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Lula da Silva on Narendra Modi

Strategic partner (strong)

TL;DR

Lula da Silva views Narendra Modi as a crucial partner for strengthening ties between the world's largest democracies of the Global South.

Key Points

  • He stated that countries the size of Brazil and India should have permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

  • The two leaders set a target to raise bilateral trade to $20 billion within five years during the February 2026 state visit.

  • Lula da Silva thanked Modi for India's participation in the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and noted cooperation in genetic improvement of cattle from Gujarat.

Summary

Lula da Silva considers Prime Minister Narendra Modi a vital counterpart in elevating the relationship between Brazil and India, emphasizing that the two nations, as the largest democracies and dynamic economies of the Global South, cannot afford to remain distant. He has frequently met with the Indian Prime Minister, including during Modi's State Visit to Brasília in July 2025 and at the G20 Summit in November 2025, consistently expressing a desire to deepen their strategic partnership across various sectors. The President described their meeting as one of "superlatives," highlighting shared democratic values and common views on international issues like UN reform and climate change.

The relationship has seen a concerted effort to boost economic cooperation, with both leaders setting a target to raise bilateral trade to $20 billion within five years following Modi's visit. Lula da Silva also shared personal anecdotes, expressing that he was "very touched" when a special tribute involving Portuguese songs was paid to him during a lunch hosted by Modi, recalling a similar gesture he had arranged for the Prime Minister. This interaction underscores a relationship built on mutual respect and shared goals for a more inclusive global governance structure, particularly within forums like the G20 and BRICS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lula da Silva views Narendra Modi as a critical strategic partner with whom Brazil must deepen ties. He sees the relationship as a meeting of two major global powers from the Global South.

The leaders have met frequently, including during Modi's State Visit to Brasília in July 2025 and the G20 Summit in November 2025. President Lula’s February 2026 visit was his sixth to India.

He emphasized strengthening dialogue on multilateralism, combating terrorism, and advancing clean energy through alliances like the Global Biofuels Alliance. He also expressed interest in Indian expertise in public digital infrastructure.