New Delhi, February 4: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to visit India this February. In anticipation of this visit, Brazil’s Ambassador to India, Kenneth Felix Hajnyski da Nobrega, expressed optimism about the strengthening of relations between the two countries amid a rapidly changing global order.
The ambassador emphasized the growing synergy between Brazil and India in trade, technology, and geopolitics. In a special interview, Nobrega noted that President Lula’s visit comes less than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Brazil, highlighting the depth and pace of India-Brazil relations.
Last month, President Lula announced his upcoming visit, stressing that both countries are aligned in prioritizing national interests while enhancing cooperation in key areas.
When asked about the significance of Lula’s visit in the context of the shifting world order, Nobrega remarked that it reflects how closely the two nations are coordinating and elevating their strategic partnership.
Regarding the expected outcomes of the visit, Nobrega stated that both leaders would focus on achieving tangible results in trade, investment, and technological partnerships. Key sectors include energy, defense, health, digital public infrastructure, and major collaborations aimed at bringing large businesses from Brazil to India and vice versa.
On Prime Minister Modi’s global stature and decision-making role, Nobrega acknowledged Modi’s clear international presence, noting that he has witnessed numerous high-level visits from global leaders seeking to engage with India over the past two and a half years.
Discussing the geopolitical challenges, Nobrega emphasized that both countries are concentrating on collaborative efforts to navigate the current difficult geopolitical landscape. He highlighted that Brazil and India are committed to enhancing economic and technological partnerships, relying on their longstanding diplomatic relationship built over 70 years, which is particularly valuable in today’s global environment.
Nobrega also commented on India’s recent historical free trade agreement with the European Union and the acceleration of trade pacts with Canada and Brazil, stating that Brazil is currently working to enhance its trade preference agreement with India, which was established less than 20 years ago. They are preparing to initiate discussions to expand this agreement, with a positive outlook from both sides.
Finally, regarding the Indian economy, Nobrega mentioned a recent economic survey indicating that India is expected to continue growing at an annual rate of 6 to 7 percent in the coming years, with the government focusing on elevating the country’s technological competitiveness.