Brazilian President Lula Arrives in India with Largest-Ever Delegation for AI Summit and Modi Bilaterals

Lula Brings 14 Ministers and Record Business Delegation

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18, 2026, leading the largest-ever Brazilian delegation to visit the country. The delegation includes approximately 14 ministers and the biggest Brazilian business contingent in the history of India-Brazil relations, signalling a dramatic escalation in bilateral ties between the two BRICS founding members.

Lula's visit, scheduled from February 18-22, comes at a pivotal moment for both nations. India is hosting the AI Impact Summit, and Brazil — as the current BRICS chair — is pushing for reforms to the multilateral grouping that both countries helped establish.

AI Impact Summit: A Key Stop

One of Lula's first engagements will be participation in the India AI Impact Summit, where he is expected to outline Brazil's vision for AI governance that prioritises social inclusion and addresses the digital divide in the Global South. Brazil has been investing heavily in AI for agriculture, healthcare, and environmental monitoring — areas where cooperation with India could yield significant results.

The presence of both Lula and leaders from Finland, Sweden, and the UK at the AI Summit underscores India's success in positioning New Delhi as a global hub for AI governance discussions.

Bilateral Summit with PM Modi on February 21

The centrepiece of Lula's visit will be the bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. The two leaders are expected to discuss:

• Trade expansion: India-Brazil bilateral trade reached $15 billion in 2025, but both sides believe it can be doubled within five years
• Defence cooperation: Brazil is interested in Indian defence technology, particularly in missile systems and naval platforms
• Energy partnership: Cooperation in biofuels, ethanol blending, and renewable energy — areas where Brazil is a global leader
• BRICS reform: Strengthening the institutional framework of BRICS, including the New Development Bank
• Food security: Joint initiatives on agricultural technology and food supply chain resilience

BRICS Reform: The Elephant in the Room

Perhaps the most significant agenda item is BRICS reform. As the grouping has expanded from 5 to 10 members (with more countries expressing interest), both India and Brazil are keen to ensure that the original founding members retain influence while making the bloc more effective.

Key BRICS reform topics include:

• New Development Bank expansion: Increasing the bank's lending capacity and project portfolio
• De-dollarisation: Progress on local currency trade settlements between BRICS members
• Institutional strengthening: Creating permanent BRICS secretariat structures
• Membership criteria: Establishing clear criteria for future BRICS expansion

1.6 Billion People, One Agenda

When India and Brazil align, the numbers are staggering. Together, the two countries represent approximately 1.6 billion people — nearly 20% of the world's population. They are the two largest democracies in the Global South, and their combined GDP exceeds $5 trillion.

The scale of Lula's delegation — 14 ministers covering everything from foreign affairs to agriculture, technology to defence — indicates that Brazil sees India not just as a diplomatic partner but as an essential economic counterpart for the coming decade.

Business Delegation: Deals in the Making

The Brazilian business delegation includes representatives from:

• Embraer: Aircraft manufacturer exploring partnerships with Indian aviation companies
• Petrobras: Energy giant interested in India's growing demand for oil and gas
• JBS and BRF: Food companies eyeing India's processed food market
• Agritech startups: Brazilian agricultural technology firms seeking Indian market entry
• Fintech companies: Interested in India's digital payments ecosystem (UPI)

The Bottom Line

Lula's India visit with 14 ministers and the biggest Brazilian business delegation in history is more than a diplomatic courtesy call. It's a strategic recalibration. When two countries representing 1.6 billion people, $5 trillion in combined GDP, and shared leadership of BRICS align their interests, it shifts the global power centre. From AI governance to BRICS reform, from defence to agriculture, the India-Brazil partnership is positioning itself as one of the defining South-South alliances of the 21st century.