Indian exporters are calling on BRICS members to move beyond political cooperation and deliver practical measures that can boost trade, investment and supply-chain integration across the bloc.
Ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has sought easier market access, stronger supply-chain partnerships, greater investment and technology cooperation, and more efficient cross-border payment mechanisms.
FIEO President S C Ralhan said BRICS should focus on measurable commercial outcomes for businesses, including predictable trade rules and smoother payment systems. Payment uncertainty can itself act as a barrier to trade, particularly for smaller companies.
The call comes as India faces a widening trade imbalance with the bloc. India’s merchandise trade deficit with BRICS reached $226 billion in FY2025-26, while exports increased 48.8% to $95.7 billion and imports jumped 131.8% to $321.8 billion over the past five years.
Indian industry is also seeking greater use of local-currency settlements and digital payment systems to reduce transaction costs and improve payment efficiency. India is separately advocating interoperability between BRICS central bank digital currencies and has pushed for stronger cross-border payment connectivity.
The government has also called for predictable rules, digital trade documentation and greater services trade within BRICS, while seeking to expand opportunities for Indian businesses in global value chains.
For Indian exporters, the priority is to turn BRICS’ expanding economic footprint into stronger export opportunities, investment flows and deeper integration into regional production and sourcing networks.