During his visit to India, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described the relationship between the two countries as very special and said that India and Brazil are ‘democratic brothers of the Global South’. He told that his first visit to India in 2005 had completely changed the economic thinking of Brazil. Describing the relationship between the two countries as very special, he said that the relationship between the two countries is based on equality and mutual respect. Speaking at the India-Brazil Economic Forum, he said that this partnership is such that there is no pressure or dictatorial attitude, as is often seen in negotiations with rich countries.
President Lula said that there are many similarities between India and Brazil, as both are large democracies, developing economies and want to make a strong mark on the global stage. He also said that while negotiating with India, Brazil does not find itself facing a colonial power, but negotiates as an equal partner.
Remembered his 2005 visit to India
President Lula said that when he came to India in 2005, he realized for the first time how important foreign exchange reserves are for a country. At that time India had foreign exchange reserves of about 100 billion dollars. Seeing this, he returned to Brazil and decided that his country should also create a strong reserve. He told that later Brazil achieved this target and its foreign exchange reserves increased to about 360 billion dollars. Due to this, Brazil’s status changed from a debtor country of the IMF to a lending country, which at that time had one of the largest reserves in the world.
#WATCH | Delhi: President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, says, “This trip to India has a characteristic that is very special. It was in India in 2005 that, for the very first time, I perceived the importance of having international hard currency reserves. I came here, my… pic.twitter.com/56eymnwxXC
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026
The President also mentioned cultural relations
President Lula also made an interesting point while referring to cultural relations. He said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Brazil last year, a song of his choice was specially found and sung. Similarly, this time in India he was also surprised by playing famous Brazilian songs, due to which he became very emotional.
#WATCH | Delhi: President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, says, “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… pic.twitter.com/lXdpnwoSae
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026
Lula said his government is working on a strategy to reinvigorate Brazil’s international image and strength in its third term. He claimed that in just three years, Brazil has opened 520 new foreign markets for its goods, which is a big achievement.
#WATCH | Delhi: President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, says, “… We are closing a cycle of international trips that was within our strategy for this third term to reclaim the image and the negotiation power that Brazil had achieved in the world. Now we decided to… pic.twitter.com/kUr8MGYlaO
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026
President Lula is on a tour of India from 18th February
The Brazilian President reached India on 18 February and also attended the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi on 19-20 February. This is his fifth visit to India as President, coming about seven months after Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brazil in July 2025.
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