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BRICS Delivers Nil Gains; India's $390 bn US Securities & $100 bn FDI Highlight Western Ties

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
10 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:$112 billion trade deficit with China (2025-26)$390 billion US securities held$100 billion US FDI$2 billion NDB capital paid by India$18 billion CRA commitment$40 billion NDB total approvals
Bodies:BRICSNew Development Bank (NDB)World BankGoldman Sachs
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.BRICS has underperformed: NDB lending negligible ($40 bn in 10 years vs World Bank $81 bn in one year), CRA unused for 11 years.

2.US is India's dominant economic partner: 20% of goods exports, over 50% of software exports, $100 bn FDI, $390 bn in securities held.

3.China's mercantilism ($112 bn trade deficit) and Russia's war make BRICS a strategic liability; author argues India must prioritize a trade deal with the US.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This opinion piece critically evaluates India's 17-year BRICS membership, arguing it delivered no tangible benefits while US economic ties (FDI $100 bn, securities $390 bn) are far more significant. Key data on trade deficits and per capita income provide fodder for essays on India's foreign policy and economic strategy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

BRICS Summit (18th)September 12-13, 2026, India chairs
NDB Capital Paid by India$2 billion + $8 billion pledged
NDB Total Approvals (10 yrs)$40 billion
CRA Commitment by India$18 billion (no draw in 11 years)
US FDI in India$100 billion
US Holdings of Indian Securities$390 billion
India-China Trade Deficit (2025-26)$112 billion (record)
China's Cumulative FDI in India$2.5 billion
India's Per Capita Income$2,550
Viksit Bharat Income Threshold$14,375 (World Bank, July 2026)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›BRICS Summit (18th): September 12-13, 2026, India chairs
  • ›NDB Capital Paid by India: $2 billion + $8 billion pledged
  • ›Target this Data: India's trade deficit with China hit a record $112 billion in 2025-26.
  • ›Target this Data: US holds $390 billion of Indian securities and has invested $100 billion FDI in India.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: New Development Bank (NDB) - India paid $2 billion capital, pledged $8 billion more.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

In which year did the first BRICS summit take place according to the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding BRICS and its institutions:

1. India paid $2 billion capital to the New Development Bank (NDB).

2. The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) has been used by members multiple times since its creation.

3. The NDB has approved about $40 billion in loans over ten years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was India's trade deficit with China in the fiscal year 2025-26?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason the author suggests India should prioritize a trade deal with the United States?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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