Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs

TheInterviewTimes.com | February 21, 2026 | 08:14 PM IST | New Delhi

Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi and Brazil’s President Lula signed critical minerals MoU in New Delhi, targeting $20 billion trade. Latest updates on agreements, BRICS solidarity, AI Summit amid trade tensions with US. Full coverage.

Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs
Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held landmark bilateral talks in New Delhi on February 21, 2026, exchanging multiple agreements to strengthen strategic ties. The meeting capped Lula’s state visit from February 18 to 22, featuring participation in the 2nd AI Impact Summit and a Brazil-India Business Forum. Accompanied by 14 ministers and over 150 CEOs, Lula underscored Brazil’s commitment to deepening economic engagement with India.​

Key Agreements Signed

A pivotal memorandum of understanding focused on critical minerals and rare earths, with Modi calling it a “major step towards building resilient supply chains” to reduce reliance on dominant suppliers. Lula described the deal as central to pioneering cooperation in renewables and minerals investments. Additional pacts covered digital public infrastructure, with plans for a Centre of Excellence in Brazil, plus artificial intelligence, supercomputers, semiconductors, blockchain, defence, energy, health, agriculture, and equitable access to medicines.

Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs
Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs

Trade Targets and Economic Momentum

Bilateral trade hit around $12 billion in 2024-25, with Brazil as India’s top Latin American partner. Leaders set a $20 billion annual target within five years, with Modi emphasizing it as a “reflection of trust” beyond numbers. Expansion of the India-MERCOSUR trade agreement and initiatives like Embraer-Adani collaborations for aircraft manufacturing aim to accelerate growth.

Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs
Modi Lula Summit New Delhi: Critical Minerals Deal, $20 Billion Trade Target, Global South Push Amid US Tariffs

Global South Solidarity and Geopolitics

Discussions addressed UN Security Council reform, multilateralism, and Gaza, reinforcing BRICS coordination under India’s chairmanship. Both nations, hit by US tariffs under President Trump, highlighted shared Global South interests against dollar dominance efforts. Lula’s rapport with Modi was termed “extraordinary,” signaling deeper partnership amid fragmented global dynamics.

As of February 21, 2026 evening, joint press statements confirmed these outcomes, with no further updates reported.​​

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