Lula Seeks Strategic India Alliance to Boost Trade, Technology and Investment

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signalled a push for a comprehensive strategic partnership with India, aiming to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, defence and space. In a message posted on X, Lula described India as an “exceptional partner” and said Vice‑President Geraldo Alckmin’s recent visit to New Delhi laid important groundwork ahead of Lula’s planned trip in early 2026.

Lula highlighted concrete outcomes from Alckmin’s visit, including expanded business ties and facilitation measures such as electronic visas and an announced presence by aerospace company Embraer. “Indians like Brazil and Brazilians like Indians,” Lula said, framing the partnership as rooted in mutual goodwill and complementary economic strengths.

The initiative comes against a backdrop of rising global trade frictions. Earlier this year, the United States imposed steep tariffs on selected Brazilian and Indian exports — moves that Brasília and New Delhi have both criticised. Lula argued that deeper bilateral ties would help both countries diversify markets and strengthen resilience against external pressures.

Alckmin, who led talks with Indian ministers and business delegations, emphasised the complementarity of the two economies. India’s fast growth trajectory — expanding at roughly 7% annually — and Brazil’s strong agricultural and commodity performance (noted growth of about 16% in agricultural output this year) create opportunities in sectors such as agri‑tech, mining, industry, and digital services.

Economic engagement between the two democracies has already expanded. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil in July, both countries mapped a roadmap to raise bilateral trade to $20 billion within five years. Official figures show bilateral merchandise trade reached $12.19 billion in fiscal year 2024–25, making Brazil India’s largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Planned cooperation extends beyond commerce. Lula referenced potential collaboration in space and defence technology and encouraged greater entrepreneurship and investment flows between the two markets. For Brazilian firms, India’s market scale and technology ecosystem offer attractive entry points; for Indian companies, Brazil’s agriculture and resource base present long‑term strategic value.

As Lula prepares for his visit, officials in Brasília and New Delhi are expected to prioritise deals that build supply‑chain resilience, facilitate business mobility, and accelerate technology partnerships. If realised, the strategic alliance could reconfigure economic linkages between South Asia and Latin America and offer both nations a stronger footing amid shifting global trade dynamics.