How Did PM Modi Thank Brazil's President Lula da Silva for Support After Pahalgam Massacre?

Brasilia, July 9 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude towards Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the unwavering support and solidarity demonstrated following the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.

During their meeting in Brasilia, PM Modi and President Lula explored avenues for enhancing trade relations and diversifying bilateral commerce.

"I had productive discussions with President Lula, who has shown a strong commitment to India-Brazil camaraderie. Our conversation focused on strengthening trade relations and broadening our economic engagement. Both of us recognized the vast potential for these connections to flourish in the future," PM Modi shared on X, along with images from his meeting.

Discussions also highlighted clean energy, sustainable development, and tackling climate change. Other collaborative areas discussed included defense, security, artificial intelligence, and agriculture, with PM Modi noting that India-Brazil cooperation in space, semiconductors, and digital public infrastructure will greatly benefit both nations.

In a separate post, he expressed, "I extend my heartfelt thanks to my dear friend, President Lula, the government, and the wonderful people of Brazil for their generosity during this visit. Recently, I attended the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and engaged in bilateral discussions with President Lula in Brasilia."

The leaders engaged in comprehensive talks on the multifaceted relationship between India and Brazil, covering trade and investment, defense and security, health and pharmaceuticals, space, renewable energy, food and energy security, infrastructure development, digital public infrastructure, culture, and interpersonal relations, while also identifying new areas for collaboration, such as critical minerals, emerging technologies, AI, and digital mobility.

They established a target of $20 billion for bilateral trade over the next five years and exchanged views on regional and global matters of shared interest, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Earlier, Brazil bestowed upon PM Modi its highest honor, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, during his State Visit on Tuesday.

This award marks the 26th international honor for PM Modi and the third on his ongoing five-nation tour, which began on July 2.

On Friday, he became the first foreign leader to receive The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the top civilian award of Trinidad and Tobago, during his brief visit to Port of Spain.

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Kamala Persad Bissessar, lauded PM Modi, stating that the award recognizes his global leadership and strong ties with the Indian diaspora, as well as his humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Just last Wednesday, he was honored with the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, a national accolade acknowledging his "distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership" by Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama in Accra, right before heading to Trinidad.

Upon arrival in Brasilia, President Lula warmly welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace as he commenced his State Visit following participation in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

After a special ceremonial reception featuring 114 horses escorting PM Modi's vehicle, along with military honors and the introduction of delegates, the two leaders engaged in a restricted-format meeting, which will be succeeded by broader delegation-level discussions. A signing ceremony for multiple agreements will follow, concluded by statements to the press from both leaders.

PM Modi has previously visited Brazil three times, the first time in July 2014, followed by another visit in 2019 for the BRICS summit, and most recently in November for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

According to the MEA, this State Visit will allow both nations to assess the full spectrum of India-Brazil partnerships, including trade and investment, oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and critical minerals, defense and security, agriculture and livestock, healthcare and traditional medicine, tourism, space, science and technology, digital public infrastructure, and sports, in addition to discussing global issues of mutual concern.

Ultimately, this visit is poised to be a pivotal moment in the India-Brazil strategic partnership and aims to infuse renewed vigor into the collaboration that was established in 2006.