Modi and Lula reassert Global South unity
While tensions in trade with the United States escalate, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talked on Thursday to intensify bilateral cooperation in important areas. The two leaders decided to enhance their strategic partnership in trade, defence, energy, health, agriculture, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
The talk came a day after the United States, led by President Donald Trump, imposed an extra 25% duty on Indian products, bringing total duties to 50%. The same sharp hike was imposed on Brazil, causing diplomatic unease and annoyance in both Brasilia and New Delhi.
Modi thanked Lula for his warm hospitality on a recent visit to Brazil and reiterated the significance of their increasing partnership. “Had a good discussion with President Lula. Appreciated him for making my visit to Brazil wonderful and significant,” Modi posted on X. “We are determined to strengthening our Strategic Partnership covering trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A robust, people-oriented partnership between Global South nations is beneficial to all.
Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2025
Lula criticises Trump’s strategy, eliminates direct call
While India and Brazil are seeking to work together more closely, both countries are facing pressure from Washington. The Brazilian President, in response to the hefty US tariffs, stated that there was no space for direct communication with President Trump now, and that placing a call at this point would be an act of “humiliation.”
In an interview at his official residence in Brasília, Lula stated: “The day my intuition tells me Trump is ready to talk, I won’t hesitate to call him. But today my intuition tells me he doesn’t want to talk. And I won’t humiliate myself.”
Despite the tariff increase, Lula clarified that Brazil will not retaliate with reciprocal measures at least for now. However, he confirmed that cabinet-level negotiations with Washington would resume. His administration remains receptive to negotiation, but Lula himself is keeping at arm’s length Trump’s administration.
Trade tensions push India-Brazil cooperation forward
The move by the US to impose tariffs on Indian and Brazilian exports has also fueled the drive for South-South cooperation. As the Western traditional partners become unreliable, nations such as Brazil and India are turning more to one another to establish strong economic relations.
Being two important economies in the Global South, their cooperation in renewable energy, digitalization, and food security could also set the stage for wider regional cooperation. For each of them, strengthening bilateral ties isn’t merely strategic it’s a symbolic response to what they view as unfair and unilateral US trade actions.
With Modi and Lula meeting on both policy and principle, the India-Brazil friendship seems set to become stronger, particularly in the context of increased global protectionism.
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