Brazil: Defence Minister welcomes PM Narendra Modi who arrived in Brasilia, will hold bilateral talks with President Lula

New Delhi. After attending the BRICS Summit, PM Narendra Modi reached the capital of Brazil, Brasilia, on Monday evening (local time), where he was warmly welcomed by Brazilian Defence Minister Jose Musio Monteiro Filho at the airport. PM Modi praised the artists performing traditional Brazilian Samba Reggae, who gave a wonderful performance in his welcome.

Modi arrived in Brasilia after attending the BRICS Summit held on 6-7 July in Rio de Janeiro. This state visit of the PM is taking place at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X, ‘New steps in the strong India-Brazil partnership. PM Narendra Modi reached Brasilia for a state visit to Brazil. At the airport, Brazil’s Defence Minister Jose Musio Monteiro Filho gave him a warm welcome. The traditional Brazilian Samba Reggae performance made the welcome more memorable.

‘These issues will be discussed’
During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Lula, in which there will be discussion on expanding India-Brazil strategic partnership in areas of mutual interest including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people relations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these talks will provide an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

PM Modi termed his visit to Rio de Janeiro as productive. He said that extensive discussions were held with world leaders at the BRICS summit.

Sharing a video on Instagram, in which he is seen attending the BRICS summit and holding bilateral meetings with world leaders, PM Modi wrote, “My visit to Rio was very productive. We had extensive discussions at the BRICS Summit. I congratulate President Lula and the Brazilian government for making this platform more effective during their BRICS presidency. My bilateral meetings with world leaders will promote India’s friendship with various countries.”

He further wrote, “Now leaving for a state visit to Brasilia. Will have detailed talks with President Lula on various aspects of India-Brazil relations.”

Addressing the ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’ session at the BRICS summit, PM Modi said that India will redefine the group in its upcoming BRICS presidency, with a focus on building resilience and innovation for cooperation and sustainability. He assured that India will carry forward the spirit of people-centric progress during its presidency of BRICS next year.

Discussion on expansion of PTA
On the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Monday, PM Modi met Uruguay President Yamandu Orsi and discussed the expansion of the India-Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in digital cooperation, information and communication technology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, defense, railways, health, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, culture and people-to-people relations. Both sides expressed interest in strengthening bilateral trade and investment and expanding the Mercosur agreement, so as to increase economic potential and trade complementarity.

Let us tell you that PM Modi’s The Brasilia visit is part of a five-nation tour, which he started from Ghana on Wednesday. After Ghana, he visited Trinidad and Tobago, from where the PM left for Argentina. During his visit, he also held a bilateral meeting with President Javier Miley. After this, the PM reached Brazil, where he participated in the BRICS summit and today he is in the capital of Brazil. From Brazil, the PM will visit Namibia, where he will address the Parliament.