India congratulates Brazil's new President Lula da Silva

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Lula da Silva for winning Brazil's Presidential elections.

"Congratulations to @LulaOficial on winning the Presidential elections in Brazil. I look forward to working closely together to further deepen and widen our bilateral relations, as also our cooperation on global issues," tweeted PM Modi.

Widely known as "Lula", Silva emerged as the country's new president after he defeated incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in fierce voting which was a tight race between the two politicians.

Lula, 76, focused his campaign on a new tax regime that will allow for higher public spending. He has vowed to end hunger in the country, which has returned during the Bolsonaro government.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro sowed doubts about the voting system without evidence, raising questions about whether he would accept defeat.

Lula is making a bid to return to the top of Brazilian politics 20 years after he first stormed to the presidency. The 76-year-old former metal worker and union leader lifted millions out of poverty as president but has since been tainted by corruption scandals.

(ANI)