Lula’s India Visit: How Cultural Diplomacy and Strategic Talks Deepened India-Brazil Partnership

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed heartfelt appreciation for the cultural hospitality extended to him during his visit to India, saying he was deeply moved by the musical tributes prepared by his hosts even as the trip advanced a wide-ranging strategic and economic agenda between the two countries.

Speaking at the India-Brazil Economic Forum in New Delhi on Sunday, Lula recalled how the gestures mirrored a similar surprise he had arranged for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to Brazil last year.

What did Lula say about the cultural hospitality during his India visit?

Addressing the forum, President Lula said, ''I was surprised yesterday, at the state dinner and at lunch too. I don't know if the Brazilian journalists remember this, but when Prime Minister Modi went to visit Brazil last year, we did research on the song that he preferred most.”

The President noted that the reciprocal gesture from the Indian side on Saturday left a lasting impression on him and his delegation, serving as a poignant reminder of the hospitality he once extended to the Indian leader.

He shared his delight at hearing familiar Brazilian melodies played by Indian musicians during his official engagements, bridging the geographical distance between the two nations through music.

''Yesterday I was surprised because during lunch we started to hear a song. I saw that that song had something to do with us. Then they played other songs from the Brazilian composers. They played Asa Branca,'' President Lula remarked.

The mention of Asa Branca, an iconic Brazilian folk song, underscored the growing cultural synergy between the two nations as they seek to strengthen their strategic partnership.

Why is Lula’s India visit significant for India-Brazil relations?

The visit carries significant diplomatic weight, with Lula arriving in India on February 18 and participating in the India AI Impact Summit during February 19-20.

This marks his fifth visit to India as President of Brazil and comes seven months after PM Modi’s state visit to Brasília on July 8, 2025, signalling a period of intensified high-level engagement.

The cultural exchange unfolded alongside formal discussions aimed at deepening economic cooperation and building a shared vision for the Global South, with both leaders reiterating that the Brazil-India Strategic Partnership established in 2006 is anchored in democratic values, economic inclusion and shared leadership.

How are India and Brazil expanding their digital and AI partnership?

A defining outcome of the visit was the unveiling of a Joint Declaration on the Digital Partnership for the Future, positioning India and Brazil as leading voices for inclusive and people-centric digital transformation among developing nations.

Both sides highlighted Digital Public Infrastructure as a foundational enabler of universal access to services, financial inclusion and innovation at scale.

Artificial intelligence emerged as a central pillar of cooperation following Lula’s participation in the AI summit.

The two countries committed to collaboration on AI strategies, large language models, data protection frameworks and ethical governance, aligning efforts with existing UN and BRICS frameworks.

Leaders stressed that AI must serve development goals, democratise innovation and avoid deepening global inequalities.

They also expressed strong interest in integrating digital and climate transitions through initiatives such as the Open Planetary Intelligence Network, linking technology with sustainability and climate action across the developing world.

What economic and trade goals were outlined during Lula’s India visit?

Economically, the leaders welcomed a 25.5 percent increase in bilateral trade in 2025 and reaffirmed their objective of reaching $30 billion in trade by 2030.

Officials were directed to address non-tariff barriers, anti-dumping issues and regulatory challenges to boost business confidence.

A major strategic focus was the expansion of the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, which both sides acknowledged no longer reflects the full potential of economic complementarities.

They welcomed the decision to deepen and expand the agreement to improve market access for agricultural, agro-industrial and industrial goods while stimulating investment flows.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Recognition of Electronic Certificates of Origin was described as a breakthrough in trade facilitation, enhancing transparency, predictability and efficiency for exporters and importers.

How will health and pharmaceutical cooperation be strengthened?

Health cooperation featured prominently, with both leaders emphasising joint efforts to strengthen local and regional production of medicines, vaccines and strategic health inputs to improve equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare across the Global South.

An MoU between Brazil's ANVISA and India's CDSCO is expected to accelerate regulatory approvals and deepen pharmaceutical collaboration, including co-development and technology transfer for treatments targeting rare, oncological and socially determined diseases.

India and Brazil also reiterated strong support for the World Health Organization and universal health coverage, underscoring the importance of sustainable financing and multilateral coordination in global health governance.

What defence, security and global governance issues were addressed?

Defence and security were reaffirmed as integral pillars of the strategic partnership, with both sides welcoming growing defence-industrial cooperation including co-design and co-production initiatives linking India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat programme with Brazil’s defence industrial base.

The two countries strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed their commitment to combating cross-border terrorism, terror financing and online radicalisation.

Brazil unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and New Delhi in 2025, signalling solidarity with India.

Cybersecurity, maritime cooperation, space collaboration and peacekeeping operations were also identified as priority areas for enhanced strategic engagement.

On global governance, both leaders reiterated the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council and reaffirmed mutual support for each other's permanent membership in an expanded UNSC, while pledging closer coordination within BRICS, IBSA, the G20 and other multilateral forums.

India welcomed Brazil's support for its candidature for a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2028-29.

How does climate, energy and Global South cooperation feature in the India-Brazil roadmap?

Climate action and energy transition formed another cornerstone of the joint statement. Prime Minister Modi commended Lula’s leadership in hosting COP30 in Belem and welcomed Brazil's launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility aimed at mobilising long-term financing for forest conservation.

Both leaders committed to accelerating the deployment of sustainable fuels, renewable energy, green hydrogen and clean technologies.

An MoU on cooperation in rare earth elements and critical minerals was described as strategically significant for clean energy technologies and resilient supply chains.

They also agreed to intensify collaboration in steel, oil and gas, and carbon capture technologies while promoting sustainable and responsible industrial practices.

Cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges were identified as vital drivers of long-term partnership, with measures to enhance mobility including the extension of multiple-entry tourist and business visas from five to ten years.

Cooperation in education, sports, cinema, tourism, yoga and traditional medicine, along with agreements on archival cooperation and intellectual property protection, is expected to deepen societal ties.

The joint statement reflects a comprehensive and future-oriented partnership that aligns digital innovation with sustainability, economic growth with social inclusion and national priorities with Global South leadership.

As Lula concluded his fifth visit, both leaders expressed confidence that the strategic roadmap agreed upon will guide bilateral ties over the next decade and reinforce a shared vision of a more inclusive, resilient and equitable global order.

(With inputs from ANI)