New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received a grand ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.

Upon his arrival, he was greeted warmly by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Later in the day, PM Modi and the Brazilian head of state will engage in a bilateral meeting aimed at enhancing the partnership between the two nations of the Global South.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), "Both leaders will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations. The Prime Minister plans to host a lunch in honor of the visiting dignitary. They will exchange insights on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including collaboration in multilateral platforms, reformed multilateralism, global governance, and challenges faced by the Global South."

During his State Visit from February 18-22, President Lula also attended the 2nd AI Impact Summit.

Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu will organize a banquet in his honor. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar are expected to meet with President Lula.

Accompanied by approximately 14 ministers and a significant delegation of top Brazilian CEOs, the accompanying ministers will hold discussions with their Indian counterparts. The CEOs are anticipated to join a Business Forum organized during President Lula's visit, showcasing the expanding trade and commercial ties between the two nations.

This marks President Lula's sixth visit to India.

His inaugural visit occurred in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations, with his most recent trip being for the G20 Summit in September 2023. Both PM Modi and President Lula have maintained regular communications in the interim. Notably, PM Modi visited Brasilia on a State Visit from July 7-8, 2025, marking the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years. The leaders also met in Johannesburg during the G20 in November 2025," the MEA disclosed.

India and Brazil enjoy a robust, multi-faceted Strategic Partnership, grounded in shared democratic values, strong people-to-people connections, and growing cooperation across various sectors. The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006.

Brazil serves as India's largest trading partner in the LAC region, with bilateral relations deepening in sectors such as trade and investment, defense, energy, agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, critical minerals, rare earth materials, science and technology, innovation, and collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and AI, space, and people-to-people interactions. The nations share common perspectives on numerous international matters, including UN reforms, climate change, and counter-terrorism.

The MEA emphasized that President Lula's State Visit will provide a platform for both nations to outline a progressive agenda for enhancing their bilateral Strategic Partnership and intensifying cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global fronts regarding mutual interests.