Brasília/New Delhi — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has confirmed that he will visit India in February, followed by a trip to the United States. The announcement comes amid growing cooperation among major Global South economies and ongoing global trade and geopolitical challenges.
President Lula shared the update on social media platform X after a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. “After my trips to India and South Korea in February, we will visit Washington. The schedule will be finalized soon,” he wrote.
During the call, Lula said both leaders discussed bilateral relations, global issues, and exchanged views on economic indicators, which he described as showing positive prospects for both economies. According to Lula, President Trump acknowledged that economic growth in Brazil and the US would benefit the broader region.
Lula also welcomed the recent improvement in Brazil–US relations, noting that a significant portion of tariffs imposed on Brazilian products had been lifted. He reiterated Brazil’s proposal to strengthen cooperation in combating organized crime, including efforts against money laundering, arms trafficking, freezing criminal assets, and sharing financial transaction data.
On global issues, Lula said he proposed limiting a US-backed peace council initiative to the Gaza conflict while ensuring a seat for Palestine. He also emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms at the United Nations, including the expansion of permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Separately, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula recently reviewed bilateral ties and emphasized the importance of strengthened multilateral cooperation to address shared global challenges. In a post on social media, PM Modi said, “It was a pleasure speaking with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India–Brazil strategic partnership, which is poised to reach new heights in the coming year.”
Highlighting the importance of collaboration among developing nations, PM Modi added, “Close cooperation is essential to advance the shared interests of the Global South. I look forward to welcoming him to India soon.”
India and Brazil are both members of the BRICS grouping, currently chaired by India. The group has drawn criticism from President Trump, who has accused BRICS nations of attempting to weaken the US dollar through trade in local currencies.
The Modi–Lula conversation also took place against the backdrop of ongoing tariff-related tensions between New Delhi and Washington. President Trump recently expressed confidence in reaching a favorable trade deal with India, praising PM Modi as a “great leader” and a “good friend,” while also warning that tariffs could be raised if negotiations fail.
According to an official statement, the two leaders recalled their meetings in Brazil and South Africa last year and reviewed progress in key areas such as trade, investment, technology, defense, energy, health, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
President Lula had earlier announced plans for an official visit to India in early 2026, as BRICS nations continue consultations on responding to tariffs imposed by the US—measures that have impacted both India and Brazil.