President Lula da Silva’s high-profile India sojourn, kicking off at the AI Impact Summit before a comprehensive state program, marks a pivotal moment for deepening ties between the world’s premier emerging democracies.
Dr. Anit Mukherjee, a leading voice on bilateral relations at ORF America, told reporters the visit’s magnitude is unmatched. With PM Modi’s prior Brazil engagements fresh in memory, Lula brings 14 ministers and 150 executives. ‘It’s a clear pivot from multilateral chats in G20/BRICS to tangible gains in commerce, manufacturing, and strategy,’ Mukherjee analyzed.
The partnership’s evolution stems from Lula’s early 2001 push for Brazil-India-South Africa collaboration, evolving into IBSA and BRICS—bedrocks of mutual confidence. Economically, synergies abound: both fuel growth with young talent and tech savvy. Brazil’s farm exports and Embraer’s aircraft prowess complement India’s manufacturing push, evident in Bajaj/Mahindra plants and TCS/Infosys ventures.
Digital infrastructure steals the spotlight—UPI and PIX together rival Visa/Mastercard volumes at 1 billion transactions per day. India’s cultural imprint grows via a burgeoning diaspora, yoga fervor, and Ayurveda boom in Brazil.
Coordinating in BRICS/G20, they champion institutional reforms, trade equity, and Global South agendas. A decade of rising trade in key sectors like agriculture, energy, and pharma underscores the potential. Lula’s mission could unlock unprecedented strategic heights.