Lula strengthens commercial and economic partnerships on trip to India

The president leaves for Asia this Tuesday (17). The agenda represents new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, especially in economic, tourism, agricultural, energy and sustainable terms

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leaves for Asia this Tuesday morning (17/2), where he will visit India and South Korea on agendas aimed at strengthening trade and strategic partnerships with the two Asian countries.

In New Delhi, the capital of India, Lula will be received this Thursday (18), in return for the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to Brazil, in July 2025 during the BRICS Summit.

This will be Lula’s fourth trip to India, the second of his current term. The agenda represents new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, especially in economic, tourism, agricultural, energy and sustainable terms.

According to Ambassador Susan Kleebank, Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil and India have maintained a strategic partnership since 2006 and relations are going through a period of growth, supported by economic and technological complementarities. “With more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is today the most powerful country in the world and has the fourth largest GDP on the planet. The Indian economy is the fastest growing among the G20 countries. India’s economic growth rate has remained at around 7% to 8% over the last few years”, said the ambassador, during a press briefing this Thursday (12).

“Dialogue and cooperation with India gain even more importance in the current context of global instability. The two countries have coincident and very central positions on the international agenda, due to the need to reform global governance, including the expansion of the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, they develop active cooperation in strategic sectors for both countries”, added Susan Kleebank.

Pillars

One of the agreements signed between Brazil and India during Prime Minister Modi’s visit last year is the set of bilateral relations structures with five priority pillars for the next ten years. They are: defense and security; food and nutritional security; energy transition and climate change; digital transformation and emerging technologies; and industrial partnerships.

Perspectives

Among the expected results of the new meeting between the two leaders is the signing of the Brazil-India declaration on digital partnership for the future. The visit will also offer opportunities for political reinforcement of negotiations to expand the Mercosur-India trade agreement, in addition to making official the new validity period for business and tourism visas, from five to ten years, between the countries.

Artificial intelligence

Lula’s participation in the Artificial Intelligence Summit, which will be held in the Indian capital on February 19, is scheduled on the official agenda. The event expects the presence of 40 thousand people from 50 countries. This will be the first time that a President of the Brazilian Republic will participate in a high-level global event on artificial intelligence.

“This topic, a few years ago, was not discussed in international forums, but today it has acquired a very important connotation. It is symptomatic, not only of the importance of the topic, but also of our engagement and the participation of the Brazilian government in these initiatives”, highlighted Ambassador Eugênio Vargas Garcia, director of the Department of Science, Technology and Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On February 20th, the Brazilian government will organize a parallel event called “AI for the good of all”. The event will address Brazilian perspectives for the future of artificial intelligence and will be attended by State ministers – representing the Science, Technology and Information portfolios; Management and Innovation in Public Services; Education; Health; and Communications.

South Korea

Between February 22nd and 24th, Lula will hold an official agenda in Seoul, South Korea, at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung. This will be the Brazilian leader’s third visit to the country, the first as a state visit. On that occasion, the 2026-2029 Triennial Action Plan will be adopted, which aims to raise the level of relationships between countries towards a strategic partnership.

“In the economic-financial aspect, South Korea is one of Brazil’s main and most traditional partners. The visit cements the excellent relationship between the two presidents and symbolizes the importance that the countries give to the bilateral relationship, established more than six decades ago. We want to take advantage of the immense existing potential and deepen relations with this very important country, South Korea”, highlighted Ambassador Susan Kleebank.

Among the expected results is encouraging the resumption of a new investment cycle in Brazil, attracting capital from Korea in technological, agricultural and cosmetics flows.

Forums

In India, and also in South Korea, President Lula participates in a series of business forums and meetings aimed at strategic strengthening with Asian countries. In New Delhi, the Brazil-India Business Forum will be attended by more than 300 Brazilian companies. The panels will address topics such as critical strategic industries and minerals, mobility and energy transition, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, environmental health and safety, family farming and marine innovation.

In the South Korean capital, Seoul, the Brazil-Korea Business Forum will bring together 230 Brazilian companies for economic and commercial dialogue opportunities. “The Forum will include thematic panels on strategic minerals, Artificial Intelligence, agribusiness, creative industries and cosmetics. Among the sectors that will participate in the event are the creative economy, technology, food and beverages, sugar and alcohol, cosmetics, pharmaceutical industry and aviation”, listed ambassador Alex Giacomelli da Silva, from the Department of Trade Promotion, Investments and Agriculture, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Commercial Flow

In 2025, bilateral trade between Brazil and India reached more than US$15 billion, with US$6.9 billion related to Brazilian exports and US$8.3 billion to imports. Currently, India is the 10th destination for Brazil’s exports. Among the most exported products are crude petroleum oils, sugars and molasses, vegetable fats and oils, and iron ore.

In South Korea, bilateral trade reached US$10.8 billion in 2025. Brazilian exports totaled US$5.5 billion and imports US$5.3 billion. The country ranks 13th as a destination for Brazilian exports. Crude petroleum oils, iron ore, soybean meal, alcohol, and unroasted coffee are the main exported products.

Originally published by Agência Gov on 02/17/2026