Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday described India as a “democratic brother of the Global South” and set an ambitious target of raising bilateral trade to $30 billion, underscoring the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two countries.
Speaking at the India-Brazil Economic Forum in New Delhi during his fifth visit to India, President Lula highlighted the deep-rooted similarities between the two nations and emphasised that their relationship is built on equality and mutual respect.
“What is really more important is that when we’re talking about a negotiation with a country like India, we are not dealing with a coloniser,” Lula said, noting that unlike negotiations with wealthier nations, ties with India are marked by balance, shared aspirations and a common development outlook.
2005 Visit a Turning Point
Recalling his first visit to India in 2005, President Lula described it as a transformative moment for Brazil’s economic policy.
“It was in India in 2005 that, for the very first time, I perceived the importance of having international hard currency reserves,” he said, noting that India had then amassed $100 billion in reserves. Inspired by that model, Brazil strengthened its own financial buffers, eventually building reserves of $360 billion and moving from being a debtor to the IMF to becoming a creditor.
He said the policy shift significantly enhanced Brazil’s global standing and economic resilience.
Trade to Reach $30 Billion
Highlighting the steady expansion of economic ties, Lula noted that bilateral trade between India and Brazil has grown from $2.4 billion during his early years in office to $10.5 billion today. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier set a target of $20 billion in trade by 2030, Lula expressed confidence that the two countries could surpass that figure.
“We’ll reach 30 billion dollars of trade because the economic potential of the two countries is very strong,” he said.
A key area of collaboration is healthcare and pharmaceuticals. During the visit, India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Brazil’s Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in regulating pharmaceutical and medical products. The agreement provides a framework for information exchange on pharmaceutical ingredients, biological products and medical devices, aiming to ensure safe and quality-assured medicines in both countries.
President Lula said the seven agreements signed during the visit would contribute significantly to Brazil’s industrial development and deepen strategic cooperation.
Cultural Diplomacy and Hospitality
Beyond economic ties, President Lula expressed heartfelt appreciation for the cultural hospitality extended to him during his visit. He recalled organising a musical surprise for PM Modi during the latter’s state visit to Brasília in July 2025, when Brazilian hosts arranged for the Prime Minister’s favourite song to be performed at the Palácio da Alvorada.
“I was surprised yesterday at the state dinner and at lunch too,” Lula said, noting that Indian hosts reciprocated the gesture by playing Brazilian songs, including the iconic folk composition “Asa Branca.” The moment, he said, symbolised the warmth and cultural synergy between the two nations.
Renewed Global Role
Placing the visit within Brazil’s broader diplomatic strategy, Lula said his third term has focused on reclaiming Brazil’s global image and negotiation power. In just over three years, he said, Brazil has opened 520 new markets for its goods.
Emphasising shared challenges and aspirations despite differences in language and religion, Lula concluded that the India-Brazil partnership stands as a model of cooperation among emerging economies – one built not on hierarchy, but on solidarity and shared growth.
(With ANI inputs)
