Brazil President Lula:Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was given a grand ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday as part of his state visit to India. He was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, which is a historic moment in the bilateral relations between India and Brazil.
President Lula was given the Guard of Honour as part of the official reception. The visit is being seen as an important step in the process of furthering the bilateral relations between the two large economies of the Global South.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level talks with President Lula at Hyderabad House. The talks will cover the expansion of cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, trade, defense, and emerging sectors. Among the most important areas of defense cooperation that are likely to be covered in the talks is the assembly of E175 aircraft, which could provide new opportunities for collaboration in the aerospace sector.
During his visit, President Lula also held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss the current diplomatic efforts and regional developments. It was stated that both countries are eager to enhance their strategic partnership in various fields.
One of the most significant areas of cooperation during the talks is critical minerals and rare earth materials. Brazil has the second-largest known reserves of critical minerals in the world, making it a significant country for India. These materials are required for the production of advanced technologies like electric vehicles, solar cells, smartphones, jet engines, and guided missiles. The meeting assumes even more importance in the context that China currently leads the world in the production of rare earth materials.
Trade and investment are also prominent during the talks. The two leaders are discussing ways to improve market access, increase trade, and facilitate greater business-to-business interactions. President Lula came to India with 14 ministers and a large delegation of the top Brazilian CEOs, which highlights the economic significance of the visit.
The Brazilian President is also attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which is being organized at the Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. The summit has seen the presence of international leaders, technology experts, and businessmen to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and digital cooperation.
According to officials, the interaction between Prime Minister Modi and President Lula is expected to enhance strategic cooperation not only on the bilateral side but also in multilateral settings. Both countries have been strong advocates of increased Global South participation in international decision-making bodies.
In conclusion, the state visit is a result of the increasing trust and cooperation between India and Brazil. With common interests in trade diversification, clean energy, technology, and defense, it seems that both countries are committed to taking their relationship to the next level.
