DOMINANT ANGLE
New Delhi welcomes Lula's re-election as a gain for the Indo-Brazilian strategic partnership and the Global South, while the Indian press also presents it as a setback for Trump's allies in Latin America.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Lula obtained 51.8% of the votes, with a lead of nearly 4.4 million votes over Flávio Bolsonaro, according to the Electoral Court cited by The Hindu Business Line.
- 02
The Times of India describes the result as a setback for Donald Trump's allies in Latin America, with Brazil and Mexico remaining led by centre-left leaders.
- 03
Narendra Modi congratulated Lula, his "dear friend", on Monday, October 26, and wants to deepen the India-Brazil strategic partnership and the priorities of the Global South.
ANALYSIS
New Delhi, October 26, 2026. The Indian press is reporting on the re-election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, emphasizing its geopolitical implications. The Times of India, relying on Reuters' live coverage, indicates that the Brazilian president beat conservative senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round on Sunday, October 25. With over 78% of ballots counted, Lula was at 51.21% against 48.79%. The Datafolha institute had projected his victory before the electoral authority's confirmation.
The daily presents the result as "a setback for US President Donald Trump's allies in Latin America". A victory for Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is imprisoned, would have marked a shift to the right in the region's leading economy. It recalls that the conservative candidate had campaigned on a rapprochement with Washington and promised better deals with the Trump administration, while Lula had criticized American tariffs on Brazilian exports and the designation of narcotrafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations. With this victory, Brazil and Mexico remain led by center-left leaders. The newspaper also describes scenes of jubilation in Rio de Janeiro, in the Laranjeiras neighborhood, and in São Paulo, and notes that Lula, who governed from 2003 to 2010, was seeking an unprecedented fourth term.
On Monday, October 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Lula on his "remarkable re-election victory", according to The Hindu Business Line. In a message on X, he calls him "my dear friend" and says he wants to "deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership". He evokes strengthened cooperation in various sectors, common priorities of the global South, and a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.
The economic media outlet specifies that with 100% of votes counted, the Electoral Court announced a lead of nearly 4.4 million votes for Lula, or 51.8% of the votes. The two articles provided mainly deal with the international dimension of the election, relations with the United States, and the bilateral link. They do not detail the post-electoral dispute or the market reaction.
