In an exclusive interview with India Today, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva outlined his agenda for the Brazil-India relationship.He says India and Brazil must deepen trade and economic cooperation instead of relying only on global superpowers and underlines his strong working relationship with PM Modi.
Here are the Key Takeaways of the interview with India Today
On the UN Security Council & Wars
Lula calls for urgent UN reform
Stinging observation: the very countries that go to war — including US, Russia— are the permanent UNSC members. “If the head of the family doesn’t respect the family, who will?”
Questions the absence of permanent seats for India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Egypt, Indonesia & African nations
On Bolsonaro, His Prison Sentence & Trump
Bolsonaro convicted and sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison
Lula reveals Bolsonaro had planned to assassinate him, his Vice President— “all documented, with evidence”
On Trump’s closeness to Bolsonaro: “I’m not concerned about Trump’s relationship with Bolsonaro. I’m concerned about building a democratic, respectful relationship between Brazil and the US — one that has existed for over 200 years”
On Trump — The Man vs. The Show
“Trump is an expert in marketing, an expert in digital and social media. He runs it like a TV show.”
“In personal meetings, he is much calmer and shows great tranquility — and I want to benefit from that personal moment”
On their ages: “I am 80 years old, and he turns 80 in June. Two men of 80 do not need to fight. We have to be role models to the world — we are the two largest democracies of that part of the world”
On Rare Earth & Critical Minerals
Brazil will NOT simply hand over its natural resources: “We want the transformation and processing of critical minerals to happen inside Brazil, not outside””We will sell to whoever we wish — we do not accept impositions”
On Fighting Drug Trafficking with Trump
Taking his proposal to Trump in writing: “I’m afraid the wind can blow the words”
Lula to Trump: If you want to fight drug trafficking, send Brazilian criminals living in the US back to Brazil to face trial
On Fighting Violence Against Women
A passionate personal crusade: priests, pastors, and trade union leaders must all speak out against violence against women
“Women in the 21st century demand respect, equality, and participation in political life — they are not inferior to anyone”
On Inequality
“My war is against inequality — economic inequality, racial inequality, gender inequality”
Pointed contrast: “The world spends $2.4 trillion on weapons. Just 10% of that could end world hunger”
On Social Media
Sharp line: “What we call social media has not much that is social”
Defends platform regulation; banned mobile phones in Brazilian schools — “Children started talking to each other and playing football again”
On the Amazon & Deforestation
Deforestation reduced by over 50% in his current term
Committed to zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030
Launched the Tropical Forest Forever Fund — “not a donation, an investment fund”
On India-Brazil Relations
Wants to grow bilateral trade from $15 billion to $30–40 billion
“I have high hopes that Brazil and India transform themselves into economic superpowers”
On His Philosophy of Life
“My theory is Mahatma Gandhi’s theory — he won independence for a giant nation through example, not war. Gandhi is the role model of my life”
“You never age if you have a cause to fight for. I wake up every day with the same willingness I had at 30”
Wakes at 5:30 AM daily for two hours of exercise: — “the man who will live to 120 may already have been born. Maybe it’s me”
Source: INDIA TODAY TV