Lula Moved by Modi’s Musical Tribute During India State Visit

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed deep emotion after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid him a touching musical tribute during his state visit to India from February 18–22. Speaking at the India-Brazil Economic Forum in New Delhi, President Lula revealed that he was pleasantly surprised when iconic Brazilian compositions, including the beloved classic Asa Branca, were played during both a luncheon and a state dinner hosted in his honour.

A Gesture That Came Full Circle

The moment carried special significance for Lula, as it mirrored a surprise he had arranged for PM Modi during the Indian leader’s visit to Brazil the previous year. At the time, Lula had personally researched Modi’s favourite song and arranged for a singer from São Paulo to perform it at the Palácio da Alvorada. “I was very touched because I did not imagine that they could’ve remembered the good reception that we did for him,” Lula said, adding that Modi’s gesture felt like “a gift in exchange.”

Strengthening India-Brazil Ties

Beyond the warm cultural exchange, the two leaders made significant strides in bilateral cooperation. Modi and Lula set an ambitious target of raising bilateral trade to $20 billion within five years. They signed agreements covering rare earth minerals, digital partnership, and mining cooperation. Renewable energy and sustainable fuels emerged as key areas of collaboration, with Lula describing the partnership as “a meeting of a digital superpower with a renewable energy superpower.” Both leaders also underscored the importance of joint engagement at the UN, WTO, and G20 amid a turbulent global landscape.