Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a warm embrace and handshake by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva upon his arrival at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. The two leaders met at the iconic Museum of Modern Art, the official venue for this year’s summit.
Marking the fourth leg of his five-nation tour, PM Modi landed in Brazil on Saturday evening and is scheduled to attend key multilateral discussions alongside BRICS leaders from July 6 to 7. He will later travel to the capital, Brasilia, for a state visit at the invitation of President Lula.
Upon arrival, PM Modi received a grand cultural welcome from the Indian diaspora in Rio. Traditional prayer songs were performed, followed by a choreographed dance themed around 'Operation Sindoor'—a symbolic tribute to India's response to asymmetric warfare following the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister thanked the Indian community for their spirited reception.
“Members of Brazil's Indian community gave a very vibrant welcome in Rio de Janeiro. It's amazing how they remain connected with Indian culture and are also very passionate about India's development,” he wrote.
He also thanked President Lula for hosting the summit, “Grateful to President Lula for hosting this year's BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. BRICS remains a powerful force for economic cooperation and global good.”
During the summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to participate in high-level discussions on a range of global issues, including peace and security, the future of multilateralism, climate action, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, global health systems, and reforming economic and financial institutions.
The BRICS Summit comes at a crucial juncture, with member nations seeking to assert greater influence in reshaping global governance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. India is expected to play a key role in shaping the dialogue, especially on digital cooperation and sustainable development.
PM Modi’s engagements in Brazil cap off his multi-nation diplomatic outreach that has included stops in Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. His final leg in Brasilia is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties with Brazil across sectors including defence, trade, and innovation.
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