The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu received H.E. Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 21, 2026). She also hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming President Lula at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President thanked him for his participation and valuable contribution in the AI Impact Summit. She also congratulated him for the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit and the COP-30 Summit in Brazil last year.

The President was happy to note that the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership continues to make steady progress across several sectors, including trade and investment, defence, oil and gas, bio-fuels, agriculture and livestock, healthcare and traditional medicine, space, science and technology, digital cooperation, and cyber security.

Underlining that Brazil is India’s largest trade partner in Latin America, the President said that there is immense potential to expand and diversify the bilateral trade. She stated that India is keen to expand the Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR and is equally committed to deepening bilateral trade engagement with Brazil.

The President was happy to note that India-Brazil cooperation in agriculture has grown stronger in recent years. She said that our trade in primary and secondary products, as well as agro-chemicals, is substantial. She emphasised the need to promote research and technology transfer in areas such as crop production, irrigation techniques, post-harvest management, and biotechnology.

The President said that India and Brazil share a strong partnership in the energy sector, encompassing both conventional and renewable energy, including trade and investment. She appreciated Brazil’s continued support for the Global Biofuel Alliance. She stated that as a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the India-Brazil partnership has also been fruitful.

The President highlighted that this is also an opportune time to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth materials. She was happy to note that an important agreement had been signed in this sector today.

The President said that as leading voices of the Global South, India and Brazil must continue working towards reform of multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to make them more representative of contemporary realities.

The two leaders agreed that there is tremendous potential to further deepen India-Brazil bilateral cooperation. President Droupadi Murmu expressed confidence that under the leadership of President Lula, India and Brazil will grow even closer.

Please click here to see the President's Speech-

 

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