Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon for a five-day State Visit, during which he will participate in the AI Impact Summit and hold high-level talks with Indian leaders to deepen bilateral cooperation.

President Lula was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit is expected to impart strong momentum to the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is rooted in shared democratic values, inclusive growth, and a common global vision.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Lula will attend the 2nd AI Impact Summit and engage in bilateral discussions with PM Modi on February 21. The two leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, defence, renewable energy, agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, space cooperation, and critical minerals.

Ahead of his departure, President Lula said he would explore new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries and noted that a high-level business delegation is accompanying him to strengthen commercial ties. In 2025, bilateral trade between India and Brazil crossed $15 billion, reflecting expanding economic engagement. Brazil remains India’s largest trading partner in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.

During the visit, President Droupadi Murmu is expected to host a banquet in Lula’s honour, while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are also likely to call on the visiting leader. Around 14 Brazilian ministers and top CEOs are part of the delegation, with several sectoral meetings and a business forum scheduled.

This marks President Lula’s sixth visit to India. He previously attended the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 and was the Republic Day Guest of Honour in 2004. Prime Minister Modi also visited Brasília on a State Visit in July 2025 — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years — underscoring renewed strategic momentum.

The MEA stated that the visit offers an opportunity to chart a forward-looking agenda, enhance cooperation in multilateral forums, and strengthen collaboration across regional and global platforms, including on climate change, UN reforms, and Global South priorities.