Modi speaks with Lula, plans Xi meeting as ties with US sour

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked trade with his Brazilian counterpart and is expected to head to China for the first time in seven years in August, against the backdrop of worsening ties with the US.

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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mr Modi discussed the imposition of unilateral tariffs against their nations and reiterated plans to strengthen trade ties in a call on Thursday that lasted nearly an hour, the Brazilian government said in a statement.

Although it didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, Brasilia noted that “Brazil and India are, to date, the two countries most affected” by the wave of levies the US leader has unleashed.

Mr Modi will also attend a summit of the Beijing-led regional security grouping — the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — and hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines, officials in New Delhi said, asking not to be identified to discuss internal matters. The SCO summit is scheduled to be held in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Sept 1.