Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he does not believe in war, stressing that he draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of dialogue. President Lula’s remarks come at a time when he is navigating global uncertainty and preparing for possible talks with US President Donald Trump.
In an interview with India Today, President Lula struck an optimistic yet firm tone on diplomacy, trade and global cooperation, saying his priority is dialogue, not confrontation.
“The only thing that I know is that I don’t want war. My theory…this is the theory of Mahatma Gandhi,” Lula said, describing him as the “role model of my life.”
‘WANT TO GET ALONG WITH TRUMP’
Lula indicated he is keen to maintain strong ties with Washington regardless of leadership changes.
“I got along very well with President Bush… with President Obama… with President Biden. And now I want to get along also very well with President Trump,” he said.
Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two countries, Lula noted that Brazil and the United States share more than 200 years of diplomatic ties. He said he wants the relationship to remain strong “with the freedom that the US wants for them and the freedom that I wish for Brazil.”
On trade tensions, Lula downplayed the impact of US tariffs, saying, “It’s not the end of the world,” while stressing that Brazil prefers negotiation over retaliation.
“We did not apply the reciprocity law because we believe in the capacity to negotiate from the Brazilian side,” he said, adding that his government has already proposed a face-to-face meeting with Trump.
“I propose to him a meeting, a person-to-person, in March so that we can put things on the table and reach the agreement that we have to make,” he said.
SOVEREIGNTY NON-NEGOTIABLE
While signalling flexibility on economic issues, Lula drew a clear red line.
“At any level, there’s nothing forbidden issue to discuss with President Trump on trade matters,” he told India Today TV. “What I cannot put in discussion is my sovereignty and the democracy in Brazil.”
The Brazilian leader also framed his India visit in economic terms, saying he wants to explore deeper commercial ties with New Delhi.
“I came here to discuss with Prime Minister Modi what is good for Brazil and for India in our relation. What can Brazil buy from India and sell to India?” he said, stressing that partnerships must ultimately benefit ordinary people.
‘TWO MEN OF 80 YEARS DO NOT NEED TO FIGHT’
Appealing to statesmanship, Lula struck a personal note. “I’m 80 years old, and he’s (Trump) going to be 80 now next June. So two men of 80 years of age do not need to fight,” he said, adding that the two democracies should set an example for the world.
Reiterating his domestic priorities, Lula said Brazil has “no vocation to go to war,” recalling that he refused former US President George W Bush’s invitation to join the Iraq war in 2003.
“My war was against hunger,” he said, noting that his government had previously lifted millions out of hunger and has done so again during his current term.
Lula said his broader mission remains tackling inequality “of race, of economic inequality, gender inequality,” and he announced a renewed push against violence targeting women.
“We, the men, are the ones that practice violence against women,” he said, urging religious leaders, trade unions and society at large to speak out.
Framing his worldview through Gandhi’s legacy, Lula summed up his approach: Brazil, he said, seeks dialogue, development and dignity, not conflict.
