New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit had infused new energy into the India-Brazil strategic partnership and elevated the historic AI Impact Summit, as the two leaders pledged to expand cooperation across trade, technology, energy, defence and global governance.
In a joint press statement with President Lula, Modi warmly welcomed the Brazilian leader and his delegation, recalling the “warmth and affection” extended to him during his visit to Brazil last year.
“India-Brazil relations have benefited from President Lula’s vision and inspiring leadership,” Modi said, adding that in every meeting he had felt Lula’s “deep friendship and trust” for India.
Modi said the two sides discussed advancing cooperation in every sector with “shared purpose and aspirations.”
Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America, he noted, and both countries are committed to expanding bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years.
“Our trade is not merely a number; it is a reflection of trust,” Modi said, adding that the large business delegation accompanying Lula reflected that confidence.
He said the expansion of the India-MERCOSUR trade agreement would further strengthen economic engagement. In technology and innovation, he added, cooperation between the two countries carries importance not only bilaterally but also for the wider Global South.
Modi said both sides are working to establish a centre of excellence for digital public infrastructure in Brazil and are prioritising collaboration in artificial intelligence, supercomputers, semiconductors and blockchain.
“Technology must be inclusive and it must become a bridge for shared progress,” he said.
Energy cooperation remains a strong pillar of bilateral ties, Modi said, noting collaboration not only in hydrocarbons but also in renewable energy, ethanol blending and sustainable aviation fuel. Brazil’s active participation in the Global Biofuels Alliance reflects the shared commitment to a green future, he added.
The Prime Minister welcomed Brazil’s proposal to co-chair the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), saying Brazil’s experience would strengthen the initiative.
An agreement on critical minerals and rare earths marks a major step towards building resilient supply chains, Modi said, while defence cooperation continues to expand based on trust and strategic alignment.
The two countries are also enhancing cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming and bio-fertilisers to strengthen food security.
In health and pharmaceuticals, Modi said India would work to increase the supply of affordable, quality medicines to Brazil, while also expanding Ayurveda and traditional medicine to promote holistic healthcare.
On global issues, Modi said India and Brazil would continue to advance the priorities of the Global South.
“When India and Brazil work together, the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident,” he said. Modi expressed confidence that Lula’s visit would further deepen the strategic partnership and open new avenues of cooperation in the years ahead.
Both leaders agreed that global challenges must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. They also reaffirmed that terrorism and its supporters are enemies of humanity and stressed the urgent need to reform global institutions to address contemporary challenges.
