President Lula speaks over the phone with the Prime Minister of India

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke over the phone, this Friday morning (November 10), with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Lula once again congratulated the Prime Minister for the success of India’s G20 organization, and reaffirmed his interest in cooperating with India during the Brazilian presidency. President Lula also thanked the leader of India for invitations he received to take part in the second virtual Voice of Global South summit (November 11) and the G20 virtual summit (November 22), and confirmed his participation in both.

Lula lamented the conflict in the Middle East and reported on the efforts already made to repatriate 1,445 people who were in Israel and the West Bank. He commented that Brazil is waiting for a new opening of the Gaza border for repatriation of 34 Brazilian people –– alongside their Palestinian relatives –– through Egypt.

The two leaders exchanged views regarding the fragility of multilateralism –– as illustrated by the veto of the Brazilian proposal in the UN Security Council, despite the significant support it received and the fact that no other proposal had been approved. Lula was praised by Modi for Brazil's work at the Council presidency, and highlighted the importance of new members of BRICS participating in the reform of global governance institutions. Lula also suggested holding a meeting of IBSA chancellors in the next semester as a preparatory step for a group summit in 2024.

The president reiterated Brazil’s need to count on India's partnership in defending democracy against extremism and denialism. He also highlighted Brazil's interest in establishing even closer relations with India in the fields of trade, energy transition, technology –– as well as in political consultation within international forums. “Brazil and India’s relations must match the magnitude of their economies and populations,” he said.