Brazilian Prez Lula da Silva Confirms India Visit in February
Brazil [Brazil]: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed on Monday that he will travel to India in February ahead of his visit to Washington, following a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
Sharing details about X, Lula said that the two leaders agreed on a visit to Washington after their visits to India and South Korea in February and that the dates will be finalized soon. He added that they discussed bilateral relations and the global agenda during the meeting.
Lula said that the leaders exchanged views on economic indicators and pointed out the positive growth trends in both countries. According to Lula, Trump stated that economic growth in the United States and Brazil was beneficial for the region as a whole.
The Brazilian President also welcomed the improvement in bilateral relations, saying that this had led to the removal of a significant part of customs duties on Brazilian products.
Lula said he reiterated the proposal sent to the US State Department in December to strengthen cooperation in the fight against organized crime. He expressed interest in deeper cooperation on preventing money laundering, arms smuggling, freezing criminal assets and sharing financial data, adding that the offer was welcomed by Trump.
On global issues, Lula said he suggested limiting the US-backed Peace Council initiative to the Gaza issue and providing a seat for Palestine. He also reiterated the need for comprehensive UN reforms, including increasing the number of permanent members on the Security Council.
The two leaders also discussed the Venezuelan issue, with Lula emphasizing the importance of peace, stability and the prosperity of the Venezuelan people.
Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula recently reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of reformed multilateralism in tackling common global challenges.
“Delighted to speak with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is poised to reach new heights next year,” PM Modi said on social media, adding that he looks forward to welcoming Lula to India soon.
India and Brazil, both BRICS members, are working on issues related to trade and tariffs amid tensions with Washington. While US President Donald Trump recently expressed confidence in reaching a “good” trade deal with India, he also warned that customs duties could be increased quickly if necessary.
