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New Delhi: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during his state visit to India, said he was touched by a special gesture that reminded him of the surprise arranged for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Brazil last year.Speaking at the Indo-Brazil Economic Forum on Sunday, the president recalled that he was “surprised” by the thoughtful tribute after songs by Brazilian composers, including the iconic Asa Blanca, were played at lunches and state dinners.
“I was surprised yesterday, also at the state dinner and at lunch. I don’t know if Brazilian journalists remember this, but last year when Prime Minister Modi visited Brazil we did a study on his favorite songs. We went to São Paulo to try to find a singer who could sing his favorite song. So we prepared a surprise for him at the Palácio da Alvorada in Brazil and you could tell he was touched by the songs we chose to play for him. ” he said.“Yesterday I was surprised because at lunch we started hearing a song. I found out that the song was related to us… Then they played other songs by Brazilian composers. They played Asablanca,” Lula added.“I was very touched by it because I didn’t remember it. I didn’t expect them to remember the warm reception we gave him, so they decided to give me a gift in exchange,” he added.President Lula paid a state visit to India from February 18 to 22 and met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen bilateral relations and expand strategic cooperation. Addressing a joint press conference after the delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi outlined the key outcomes of the discussions. The leaders of the two countries set a goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to US$20 billion within five years and signed agreements in areas such as rare earth minerals, digital partnerships and mining cooperation.Energy cooperation has also become a key pillar, with both sides agreeing to accelerate cooperation in renewable energy and sustainable fuels. President Lula described the meeting as a “partnership between two major global powers of the Global South” and emphasized the strategic importance of India-Pakistan relations.“My dear friend Modi, returning to this country for the sixth time is the reason for my joy. The meeting between India and Brazil is a meeting of the highest order. We are not just the two largest democracies in the southern hemisphere. This is a meeting of a digital superpower with a renewable energy superpower,” he said. He stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation, adding: “The volatile global situation requires our countries to strengthen and deepen strategic dialogue. India and Brazil are important voices at the United Nations, the WTO and the G20. “President Lula, accompanied by a delegation of senior business leaders, attended the second Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit and a state dinner hosted by President Durupadi Murmu.
