In a significant move to bolster the “Global South” partnership, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has confirmed an upcoming state visit to India, signaling a deepening of diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The announcement came after a high-level phone call between President Lula and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Brazilian President said that he and PM Modi, underlined the significance of the upcoming Brazil–India Business Forum. The forum will be held during Lula’s state visit to India and will coincide with the inauguration of the Apex-Brasil office in New Delhi.
Sharing details on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Brazilian President wrote, “I spoke today by phone with the Prime Minister of India, @narendramodi. We discussed the State visit I will make to New Delhi between February 19 and 21, as well as the bilateral agenda”.
He added that business and global issues were also part of the discussion. “We highlighted the importance of the Brazil–India Business Forum that will take place during my visit, which will also be marked by the inauguration of the APEX Office in New Delhi. We also exchanged views on the global situation, reiterating our commitment to defending peace in Gaza and in the world, multilateralism, and democracy”.
Conversei hoje por telefone com o primeiro-ministro da Índia, @narendramodi. Falamos sobre a visita de Estado que farei a Nova Délhi entre 19 e 21 de fevereiro próximo e sobre a agenda bilateral. Destacamos a importância do Fórum Empresarial Brasil – Índia que ocorrerá durante…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) January 22, 2026
Leaders reaffirm strategic partnership, says MEA
On Thursday, PM Modi held a phone call with President Lula. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said both leaders agreed to further strengthen the India-Brazil strategic partnership.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership and take it to even greater heights in the year ahead,” the MEA said.
‘We reviewed the strong momentum’, says PM Modi
The PM said that he was looking forward to welcoming the BRICS ally to India soon.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Glad to speak with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is poised to scale new heights in the year ahead. Our close cooperation is vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South. I look forward to welcoming him to India soon.”
Glad to speak with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is poised to scale new heights in the year ahead. Our close cooperation is vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South. I look forward to welcoming…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 22, 2026
In December 2025, India and Brazil signed a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost dairy cattle and buffalo genomics, launching a first-of-its-kind cross-continental programme for genetic improvement.
The visit comes at a crucial moment, with both countries grappling with a volatile global trade environment shaped by US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariff policies. By strengthening the Brazil–India Strategic Partnership, the two leaders aim to create a more resilient economic pathway that reduces reliance on Western markets and reinforces their autonomy in an evolving multipolar world.