PM Modi Becomes First Indian PM In 57 Years To Make State Visit To Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm ceremonial welcome in Brasilia on Tuesday, becoming the first Indian PM in 57 years to undertake a State Visit to Brazil, strengthening the ties between the two nations.
The visit marks not only expansion of India on the diplomatic front but also a reaffirmation of India as a pro-active builder of South-South solitude.
Inclusive growth, critical mineral resource security, climate resilience, and digital collaboration are the concerns of India with the Global South. The visit is a mark of change in India global role-play investing in proactive activities as opposed to a reactive role based on mutual respect and common interest. It is not service outreach tour but a symbol of a more serious strategic tilt in India foreign policy in which it has to match up to the interests of emerging economies.
With the new geopolitical fault lines coming into the picture, the Indian dream of a fair world order is not only talked of but also materializing in the form of long lasting and concrete partnerships. At a time when soft power, strategic autonomy and shared resilience characterise the global leadership in general, this tour does not only present India as one of the acting parties, but as a core actor in creating the future of the Global South.
As part of his official engagements during the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva exchanged warm diplomatic courtesies at the Alvorada Palace, where they introduced delegates from their respective countries to one another.
The meeting at Alvorada Palace came as part of PM Modi's State Visit to Brazil, undertaken at the invitation of President Lula da Silva after the conclusion of the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to 7.
To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at the Alvorada Palace. President Lula da Silva received him with a warm embrace, setting the tone for a day of significant diplomatic engagements and symbolic gestures.
The ceremonial reception featured formal introductions of delegates by both leaders, underscoring the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations.
Adding to the grandeur of the ceremony, PM Modi was honoured with a 114-horse guard of honour. The national anthems of India and Brazil were played, and an Indian classical musical performance was also held as part of the welcome.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Brasilia airport, PM Modi was greeted by the Batala Mundo band with traditional Afro-Brazilian compositions, creating an upbeat cultural atmosphere at the outset of his visit.
Sharing the moment on social media platform X, he wrote, "At Brasilia airport, the Batala Mundo band played some wonderful compositions. Theirs is a global effort to promote Afro-Brazilian percussion, in particular the Samba-Reggae from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil."
Members of the Indian diaspora, waving flags and cheering, were also present at the airport to greet the Prime Minister. Acknowledging their presence, PM Modi posted, "Landed in Brasilia a short while ago. The Indian community accorded a memorable welcome, once again highlighting how passionate our diaspora is and how connected they remain with their roots."
The cultural spirit continued at the hotel, where PM Modi was welcomed again by members of the Indian community and local performers. He witnessed a cultural performance and a spiritual presentation, interacting with the artists and posing for a group photograph with them.
During the State Visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, aimed at strengthening the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks will cover a broad range of areas including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health, and people-to-people linkages.
India is also contributing to reposition the Global South not as a group of aid recipients, but as participants in the co-authorship of the global solutions. The tour symbolises that India is a bridge-builder-giving the Global South a larger say in the formulation of the international order.
Following the conclusion of his engagements in Brazil, PM Modi will depart for Namibia on July 9, where he is expected to address the Namibian Parliament. The Brazil leg marks the fourth stop in his ongoing five-nation tour, which has already taken him to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina--reflecting India's increasing diplomatic outreach across the Global South.
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His government adopted a dual strategy—neutralising the armed threat through enhanced security operations and addressing the root causes of the insurgency through development and governance. This approach, often encapsulated in the phrase 'Vikas aur Vishwas" (Development and Trust), aimed to dismantle Naxal networks while integrating affected communities into the mainstream. One of the cornerstones of PM Modi's war against Naxal terror has been the modernisation and intensification of security operations. The Modi government bolstered the capabilities of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), state police forces and specialised units like the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). Improving intelligence-gathering mechanisms to pre-empt Naxal attacks was prioritised. The establishment of Multi-Agency Centers (MACs) and State Multi-Agency Centers (SMACs) facilitated real-time intelligence sharing between central and state agencies. This led to more precise operations, reducing collateral damage. Remember, under the erstwhile Congress regime, Naxalism thrived as the previous Manmohan Singh regime refused to acknowledge the problem, much less dealing with it. PM Modi's approach to combating Naxalism has been novel and nuanced, never losing sight of the bigger picture. Security forces were equipped with advanced weaponry, surveillance drones and satellite imagery to navigate the dense forests of the Red Corridor. The use of technology, such as GPS-enabled tracking and night-vision equipment, gave forces a tactical edge in guerrilla warfare. The Modi government established forward operating bases (FOBs) in remote areas, disrupting Naxal supply lines and safe havens, forcing insurgents to retreat deeper into forests. In 2017, Operation SAMADHAN, a strategic framework to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) was launched. The acronym SAMADHAN stands for Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and training, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing technology, Action plan for each theatre and No access to financing. Over 14,000 Naxalites have either been killed, arrested, or surrendered since 2014, significantly weakening the movement's operational capacity. Shah's fierce determination to uproot Naxalism has borne stellar results. PM Modi prioritised building roads, bridges and communication networks in Naxal-affected areas to improve connectivity and State presence. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was accelerated to construct all-weather roads, connecting remote villages to markets and administrative centres. By 2023, over 12,000 kilometers of roads had been built in LWE-affected districts. Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and Saubhagya Scheme, the Modi government achieved near-universal electrification in Naxal-affected regions. Additionally, the BharatNet project extended high-speed internet to remote areas, enabling access to digital services, education and government schemes. The Modi government also established Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal children, offering quality education and vocational training. By 2024, over 400 EMRS were operational, benefiting thousands of students. Skill development programmes under the 'Skill India Mission' provided training in trades like agriculture, handicrafts and technology, creating alternative livelihoods for youth vulnerable to Naxal recruitment. Schemes like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and PM Awas Yojana (housing for all) were prioritised in LWE areas to provide employment and housing security. The government also promoted forest-based livelihoods, such as the collection and marketing of minor forest produce (MFP) through the Van Dhan Yojana, empowering tribal communities economically. The Ayushman Bharat scheme provided free healthcare to millions in Naxal-affected regions, addressing a critical grievance exploited by insurgents. Mobile medical units and health camps were deployed to deliver services in remote areas. Beyond security and development, PM Modi's strategy emphasised winning the trust of tribal communities, who form the backbone of Naxal support. The government introduced attractive surrender policies, offering financial incentives, vocational training, and protection to Naxalites who laid down arms. Since 2014, thousands of Naxalites have surrendered, with many reintegrated into society through skill development and job opportunities. The Modi administration encouraged security forces to engage in civic action programmes, such as organising sports events, medical camps and cultural festivals in tribal areas. These efforts humanised the State's presence and countered Naxal narratives of oppression. The government worked to expose the contradictions in Naxal ideology, which often exploits tribal grievances while extorting money from the same communities. Public awareness campaigns highlighted the benefits of government schemes and the futility of violence, encouraging youth to reject extremism. The Modi government's multi-faceted approach has significantly weakened the Naxal movement. The Red Corridor has shrunk considerably, with Naxal influence now limited to a few pockets in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) shows a consistent decline in Naxal-related incidents, with 2023 recording the lowest number of attacks in over two decades. Civilian and security force casualties have also plummeted. Targeted operations have eliminated or arrested key Naxal leaders, disrupting command structures. For example, the 2021 killing of senior Maoist leader Milind Teltumbde in Gadchiroli was a major blow to the movement. The combination of military pressure and rehabilitation programmes has led to a surge in surrenders, with over 7,000 Naxalites laying down arms between 2014 and 2023. PM Modi's war against Naxal terror has set a new benchmark for counter-insurgency operations in India. The government's ability to combine security measures with development and outreach have yielded unprecedented results, bringing the Naxal movement to its weakest point in decades. However, the battle is not over. Empowering local institutions such as Gram Panchayats is enhancing trust and ensuring that development benefits reach the grassroots. Security operations are being conducted with greater sensitivity to avoid alienating tribal communities. Independent oversight mechanisms are helping to address allegations of human rights' abuses which were rampant under the previous Congress regime. The Modi government is also tackling the urban networks that provide ideological and logistical support to Naxalites, using a combination of law enforcement and public awareness. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has made remarkable strides in its fight against Naxal terrorism. By blending aggressive security operations with transformative development initiatives, the government has not only weakened the insurgency but also begun to address the socio-economic factors that fuelled it. By April 2025, the number of 'most-affected districts" (those accounting for 90 per cent of LWE violence) had been reduced from 12 to 6. These districts are Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. The number of 'districts of concern" (areas with lesser Naxal activity but still monitored) has also decreased from 17 to 6, including Dantewada, Gariaband, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in Chhattisgarh, Latehar in Jharkhand, Nuapada in Odisha, and Mulugu in Telangana. By 2024, states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh had been largely cleared of Naxalism, with Maharashtra nearly free except for Gadchiroli. Naxal influence is now primarily confined to a few districts in Chhattisgarh. In Chhattisgarh, the area affected by Naxalism has reduced from 18,000 sq. km in 2014 to 8,500 sq. km by 2025, with intensified operations since the BJP government took over in late 2023. In the last year alone, 287 Naxalites were neutralised, 992 arrested, and 837 surrendered in Chhattisgarh. Between 2004-2014 and 2014-2024, Naxal violence incidents dropped by 53 per cent (from 16,463 to 7744), and deaths of security personnel and civilians decreased by 70 per cent. Significant operations, including Operation Black Forest in 2025, the neutralisation of 22 Naxalites in Bijapur and Kanker (March 2025) and 27 Naxalites, including CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao, in Narayanpur (May 2025), highlight the Modi government's targeted approach. The Modi government's strategy includes a multi-pronged approach–ruthless action against armed Naxalites, filling security vacuums with Forward Operating Bases (302 new camps in five years), development initiatives like skilling programs (Rs 495 crore for 48 Industrial Training Institutes and 61 skill development centers) and lastly, encouraging voluntary surrenders. Financial assistance under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme supports infrastructure development, with Rs 30 crore for most-affected districts and Rs 10 crore for districts of concern. The path towards a Naxal-free India reflects a combination of security operations, developmental efforts and State-Centre coordination, which has particularly intensified after the BJP formed the government in Chhattisgarh in 2023. top videos View all The Modi government's decision to rid India of Naxalism by March 31, 2026, as pledged by Shah, shows that the broader focus clearly remains on sustaining development, building trust and ensuring that the benefits of progress reach the most marginalised sections of society. The war against Naxal terror is not just about defeating an armed insurgency; it is about securing India's heartland and creating a future where every citizen can thrive. Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson of the BJP and the Bestselling Author of 'The Modi Gambit'. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Amit Shah chhattisgarh Gadchiroli Maoism Naxalism pm narendra modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 19, 2025, 15:28 IST News opinion Opinion | How PM Modi's Dual Strategy Is Paving The Way For Naxal-Free India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
