Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva landed in New Delhi on February 18, 2026, for a five-day state visit. He said “Namaste, India!” on social media and shared a video of his warm traditional welcome. This is his sixth trip to India, invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lula will stay until February 22. The visit focuses on stronger ties between the two countries, with key events like the AI Impact Summit and meetings with top Indian leaders.

Lula got a nice welcome at the airport from Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. He is here with about 14 ministers and many top CEOs from Brazilian companies. They will meet Indian leaders and join a Business Forum to talk business. India and Brazil already trade a lot, $15 billion in 2025. Brazil is India’s biggest trade partner in Latin America.

What Will Happen During the Visit

The visit has a full schedule. On February 19-20, Lula will join the 2nd AI Impact Summit. This event brings leaders together to discuss how AI can help countries grow fairly. India and Brazil both care about smartly using tech.

President Droupadi Murmu will meet Lula and host a banquet for him. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will also call on him.

The big meeting is on February 21. Prime Minister Modi will sit down with Lula to review all parts of their relationship. They will talk about trade, defense, energy, farming, health, and new areas like AI and space. Modi will host lunch for Lula. The leaders will also share ideas on world issues like UN changes, climate change, terrorism, and problems facing the Global South.

Strong Ties Between India and Brazil

India and Brazil have been close friends since 1948. They became Strategic Partners in 2006. Both are big democracies with shared values. They work together in BRICS, where India is the chair right now.

Trade is growing fast. Brazil sells things like soybeans and oil to India. India sends pharma, chemicals, and auto parts to Brazil. They cooperate in defense, green energy, critical minerals for batteries, and Digital Public Infrastructure, like India’s UPI. Both push for UN reforms and fight climate change.

Lula first came to India in 2004 as a Republic Day guest. He was here last for the G20 in 2023. Modi visited Brazil in July 2025, the first Indian PM’s state visit there in 57 years. They met again at the G20 in November 2025.

Why This Visit Matters

This trip will help both countries plan. Business leaders want more deals in trade and investment. Ministers will talk on energy, health, and tech. The CEOs’ forum shows how companies from both sides see big chances.

Lula said the visit is about “strengthening ties, deepening partnerships, and discussing AI’s future.” For India, it boosts the BRICS and the Global South work. Brazil gets a stronger link to Asia’s top economy.

People-to-people links are good too, yoga in Brazil, Brazilian culture in India. Both leaders want more cooperation on big world problems.