Modi and Lula hold talks in New Delhi; India and Brazil aim to take trade beyond $20 billion in five years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on 21 February 2026 and committed to taking bilateral trade beyond $20 billion over the next five years.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on 21 February 2026, during Lula's State Visit to India (18–22 February) that also covered the AI Impact Summit. Modi said Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America and that both sides are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond twenty billion dollars over the next five years. The leaders backed expansion of the India–MERCOSUR trade agreement, and India is working towards a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil. Cooperation in AI, supercomputers, semiconductors, blockchain, renewable energy, ethanol blending and sustainable aviation fuel was prioritised. President Droupadi Murmu received Lula at Rashtrapati Bhavan the same day and hosted a banquet in his honour, congratulating him on Brazil's hosting of the BRICS and COP-30 summits in 2025.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 21 February 2026, Hyderabad House, New Delhi
- Visit
- Lula's State Visit to India, 18–22 February 2026
- Trade goal
- Bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in five years
- Status
- Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America
- Trade pact
- Expansion of the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement
- Digital
- Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil
- Banquet
- Hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 21 February 2026. Which country is described by India as its largest trading partner in Latin America?
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Correct answer: D — Brazil
PM Modi's press statement on 21 February 2026 said Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
During the Modi–Lula talks of 21 February 2026, India and Brazil committed to take bilateral trade beyond what level over the next five years?
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Correct answer: D — $20 billion
PM Modi said both countries are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond twenty billion dollars over the next five years.
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil talks of 21 February 2026: 1. India is working towards a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil. 2. The leaders backed expansion of the India–MERCOSUR trade agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Modi said India is working towards a DPI Centre of Excellence in Brazil and that expansion of the India–MERCOSUR agreement will strengthen economic ties.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted Brazilian President Lula at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 21 February 2026 and congratulated him on Brazil hosting which two summits in 2025?
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Correct answer: B — BRICS and COP-30
The President congratulated Lula on the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit and the COP-30 Summit in Brazil in 2025.