ANKARA

Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed ties Thursday amid tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on the two founding members of the BRICS bloc and other nations, according to a statement.

The two leaders noted in a call the Indian premier's visit to Brazil last month, where they agreed on a "framework to strengthen cooperation" in trade and people-to-people ties, said the Indian Prime Minister's Office.

“Building on these discussions, they reiterated their commitment to take India-Brazil Strategic Partnership to new heights,” it said.

They also exchanged views on "various regional and global issues of mutual interest."

The call came after Trump raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50% on Wednesday, after he imposed similar levies on Brazil.

Trump has accused India of benefiting from continued purchases of Russian oil, while Lula has faced the US president's tariffs because of court cases against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

The two BRICS nations have pushed back on the tariffs.

India condemned Trump's announcement as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable."

Brazil is the current chair of the BRICS bloc. Modi will take over from Lula as the next chair in 2026.

"A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone," Modi wrote on X after speaking to Lula.