Photo: screengrab from the official website of Brasil 247

By Brasil 247 - ApexBrasil President Jorge Viana said on Saturday (Feb. 21) in Nova Déli, during the Brazil-India Business Forum, that President Lula's government is working to open a "new and historic phase" in bilateral relations, centered on two-way investment and strategic cooperation in key areas of the economy, according to Brasil 247.

Viana also said the two countries should aim to raise their trade flow from about $15 billion to $100 billion over the medium and long term. "It is the partnership with the greatest growth potential," he said.

In his opening remarks, Viana stated that Lula expects the two sides to strengthen ties in a more structured way. "President Lula expects to be starting a new and historic phase in the Brazil-India relationship," he said.

Viana said Lula asked the Brazilian delegation to deliver a clear message to Indian business leaders. "He asked that we speak to our brothers in India, more than that, that we make an invitation so that you can, believing in Brazil, make investments in our country," he said.

At the same time, Viana stressed that the effort should run both ways, with Brazilian companies expanding their presence in India. As an example, he cited Vale, which he said is expected to commit to a $500 million investment in India. "It is a two-way process, as President Lula wants, Brazilian companies making investments," he said.

He also pointed to Embraer as another potential investor. "There is also the prospect of Embraer making an investment of some hundreds of millions of dollars in this most populous country in the world," he said, referring to India.

Viana said Brazil is arriving with concrete proposals for cooperation in strategic sectors. "That is the way Brazil arrives. It arrives offering mutual work in different areas," he said.

He highlighted biofuels, food security, technological innovation, and critical minerals linked to a new industrial agenda. "We will talk about biofuels, we will talk about food security, we will talk about innovation, we will talk about strategic action in critical minerals in the new industry," he said.

Viana also noted that the meeting in Nova Déli is the 20th business forum held under Lula, underscoring the administration's focus on trade promotion and investment attraction.

During his remarks, he thanked institutions and authorities involved in organizing the event, including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), ApexBrasil and Brazil's foreign ministry. He also greeted several officials and representatives present, including Banco do Brasil President Tarciana Medeiros, India's special secretary for industry and trade promotion Rimjhim Pandey, Bahia Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues, and Brazil's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Luciana Santos.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on Feb 21, 2026)