Brasilia [Brazil], July 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a bilateral meeting at the Alvorada Palace on Tuesday (local time), where the two leaders discussed ways to deepen trade ties and diversify their economic engagement.
In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted the productive nature of their talks, noting the potential to further expand bilateral trade. “Held fruitful talks with President Lula, who has always been passionate about India-Brazil friendship. Our talks included ways to deepen trade ties and also diversify bilateral trade. We both agree that there is immense scope for such linkages to thrive in the coming times,” he wrote.
PM Modi also announced an ambitious target of achieving USD 20 billion in bilateral trade over the next five years. “The bilateral meeting with my good friend President Lula will invigorate India-Brazil ties. We’ve set an ambitious trade target of USD 20 billion over the coming five years. This will boost economic linkages. Equally important were the discussions on strengthening people-to-people ties, especially through sports and tourism,” he posted.
During the meeting, PM Modi expressed gratitude for being conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honor, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. “I’m honoured to have been conferred ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.’ Gratitude to President Lula, the Government, and the people of Brazil. This illustrates the strong affection the people of Brazil have for the people of India. May our friendship scale even newer heights of success in the times to come,” he posted.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that PM Modi thanked President Lula for Brazil’s solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. “PM @narendramodi met with President @LulaOficial of Brazil at the Alvorada Palace, Brazil. PM thanked President Lula for its solidarity & support in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” Jaiswal said on X.
Jaiswal also outlined the breadth of their discussions: “Both leaders held extensive discussions on India-Brazil multifaceted ties, including trade & investment, defence & security, health & pharmaceuticals, space, renewable energy, food & energy security, infrastructure development, digital public infrastructure, culture and people-to-people ties. They explored avenues for collaboration in new areas such as critical minerals, emerging technologies, AI & supercomputers, digital collaboration & mobility. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
On receiving the civilian honor, Jaiswal wrote, “A testament to the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. President @LulaOficial conferred on PM @narendramodi the ‘Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’—Brazil’s highest honour. PM expressed his gratitude to the government & people of Brazil for this distinguished honour and dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the deep-rooted India-Brazil friendship & strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.”
PM Modi, who is on a State Visit to Brazil after participating in the BRICS Summit, was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome at the Alvorada Palace. President Lula greeted PM Modi with a warm hug, and both leaders stood for the playing of the national anthems of India and Brazil before inspecting a ceremonial guard of honour.
(ANI)
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