Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday called for urgent reform of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), reaffirming that India and Brazil will continue advocating for permanent membership in a reformed global body.

Addressing the media after delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, President Lula emphasized the long-standing efforts of the G4 grouping — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — which has campaigned for over two decades to expand the Security Council.

“For over 20 years, we have defended the expansion of the UN Security Council. The UN needs greater representation and stronger authority to address global conflicts. A body that fails to do so cannot endure,” Lula said.

He stressed that expanding both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is essential to enhance legitimacy and effectiveness in global governance. According to Lula, a more representative UN is necessary to respond to today’s complex geopolitical and security challenges.

President Lula, who is on a State Visit to India from February 18–22, also attended the 2nd AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Calling Prime Minister Modi a “dear friend,” he described India and Brazil as the two largest democracies of the Global South and highlighted their complementary strengths in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, renewable energy and digital innovation.

The two leaders discussed strengthening the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership across key sectors including trade, defence, agriculture, energy transition, climate action, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides reiterated their shared vision of an inclusive, multipolar world order and committed to intensifying the global fight against terrorism.

President Lula recalled Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit to Brasilia in July 2025 — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years — where both sides restructured bilateral cooperation into five priority areas, including defence, food security, energy transition, digital transformation and industrial partnerships.

On Saturday, the two nations finalized 10 agreements covering digital cooperation, health, MSMEs, entrepreneurship, traditional knowledge and critical minerals. Both leaders also pledged to raise bilateral trade to over USD 20 billion within the next five years.

Lula noted that India’s advancements in information technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and space exploration offer significant opportunities for deeper collaboration between the two emerging powers.