NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called for a more practical and business-oriented BRICS economic agenda, urging the BRICS Business Council to identify and work towards removing the top 10 trade barriers among member countries, support 100 startups annually in expanding into BRICS markets and facilitate 1,000 new business partnerships every year.
Addressing the Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday, PM Modi said that at a time when trade barriers are increasing globally, India is building “economic bridges” and expanding opportunities for businesses. He noted that India has entered into free trade agreements with nearly 40 countries since 2014.
The Prime Minister also placed secure maritime connectivity at the centre of global trade, stressing the importance of secure sea lanes, open supply routes and the safety of seafarers for uninterrupted international commerce.
He highlighted India’s efforts to build resilient and diversified supply chains and identified strategic sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals, quantum technology and biotechnology as areas with significant potential for future cooperation.
The Prime Minister further highlighted India’s digital infrastructure and UPI as examples of innovation at population scale, while pointing to new BRICS cooperation initiatives in agriculture, healthcare, skills and smart grids, along with the BRICS Incubator Network, MSME Portal and Startup Innovation Fund.
BRICS at an important economic crossroads
The discussions in New Delhi come as BRICS has expanded into a larger grouping of emerging and developing economies, representing a substantial share of the global population, economic output and trade. The bloc’s expanded membership has also brought greater economic opportunities as well as the challenge of coordinating countries with different economic structures and geopolitical interests.
The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit will now take place on September 12–13 at Bharat Mandapam, where leaders are expected to take forward these economic discussions alongside deliberations on global governance, international peace and security, development and the future direction of BRICS cooperation.
India’s BRICS 2026 message is increasingly clear: from dialogue to delivery — fewer trade barriers, stronger supply chains, deeper business partnerships and a more connected Global South.
