Brazil President Lula India Visit: New Deal on Critical Minerals Signed February 21, 2026

Brazil President Lula visited India on February 21, 2026, and met with PM Modi. A key outcome was a new understanding on critical minerals.
By Newsroom | International Relations, Business |

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited India for a state visit, meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders engaged in talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, with a significant focus on cooperation in critical minerals. The visit also included a ceremonial welcome for President Lula and discussions on expanding trade and defense partnerships.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets PM Modi; receives Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan - 1

High-Level Engagement and Bilateral Discussions

President Lula's visit to India marked a significant diplomatic event, involving meetings with top Indian officials.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets PM Modi; receives Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan - 2

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Lula da Silva at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

  • President Lula also held discussions with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

  • The leaders expressed a strong personal rapport, described as having "strong chemistry," and being both "colleagues and friends."

Key Areas of Cooperation

The discussions between India and Brazil centered on several key areas designed to deepen their strategic partnership.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets PM Modi; receives Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan - 3

Critical Minerals and Supply Chains

A primary objective of the meeting was to explore a deal on critical minerals.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets PM Modi; receives Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan - 4

  • India aims to reduce its reliance on China, which currently holds a near-monopoly on rare earth production.

  • The cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals is seen as a complementary effort to India's existing supply chain engagements with the United States, France, and the European Union.

  • An understanding (MoU) on critical minerals was anticipated, alongside efforts to boost trade links.

Trade and Economic Ties

Enhancing economic relations was a central theme of the discussions.

  • The inauguration of the first office of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) in New Delhi on Friday underscored Brazil's commitment to strengthening economic presence in India.

  • Discussions aimed to increase overall trade between the two nations, with Brazil being India's largest partner in Latin America.

  • Past discussions have also included strengthening the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement and diversifying bilateral trade.

Defense and Other Sectors

The strategic partnership extended to defense and other collaborative ventures.

  • The E175 aircraft assembly deal was mentioned as a potential area of focus.

President Lula's Itinerary and Delegation

President Lula da Silva received a formal welcome and participated in various engagements during his visit.

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  • A ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour were accorded to President Lula at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi present.

  • President Lula also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

  • The Brazilian President arrived with a large delegation, comprising over 11 cabinet ministers and more than 300 businessmen, including 50 CEOs. This was described as elevating bilateral relations to a "new level."

India as an Emerging Hub

The discussions also touched upon India's growing prominence in specific global sectors.

  • India's role as a host for the AI summit was noted, with Brazil's envoy suggesting that India is becoming a "new hub for AI."

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The state visit of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to India has laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation, particularly in the vital sector of critical minerals. The substantial delegation accompanying the Brazilian President indicates a strong intent to deepen economic and strategic ties. The shared objective of reducing dependency on single sources for critical materials, coupled with efforts to boost bilateral trade, signals a commitment to a more robust and diversified partnership between India and Brazil. The successful opening of the Apex office further solidifies Brazil's engagement with the Indian market.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Brazil President Lula visit India on February 21, 2026?
President Lula visited India to meet with Prime Minister Modi and strengthen ties between the two countries. A main goal was to sign a deal on critical minerals.
Q: What was the main agreement signed between India and Brazil on February 21, 2026?
India and Brazil signed an understanding (MoU) on critical minerals. This deal aims to help India get important minerals it needs for its industries.
Q: How will the critical minerals deal affect India's reliance on China?
The deal is expected to help India reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals. China currently has a very strong hold on the supply of these materials.
Q: What other topics were discussed during President Lula's visit to India on February 21, 2026?
Besides critical minerals, leaders discussed increasing trade and strengthening defense partnerships. The opening of Brazil's trade office in New Delhi also happened.
Q: Who was part of President Lula's large delegation to India on February 21, 2026?
President Lula brought a large group with him, including over 11 cabinet ministers and more than 300 business people. This showed Brazil's strong interest in working with India.