Brazil-India Trade Nears $20 Billion, BRICS Not Anti-Western, Says Brazil FM

BRICS as a Reformist Non-Western Bloc: Key Data on NDB, Intra-BRICS Trade & De-dollarisation for India's Global South Strategy

BRICS has evolved from a loose grouping into a formidable Global South platform, challenging Western-dominated institutions. For India, it serves as a strategic bridge to both the West and developing economies, offering concrete mechanisms like the NDB (120 projects, $39 billion) and local currency trade to reduce dollar dependence. Key for Mains: analyse BRICS as reformist (not anti-Western) and its role in multipolar world order.

BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026: India Pushes MSME Focus, WTO Reforms, and Local Currency Trade

At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India leveraged its 2026 chairship to prioritize MSME development, launching the inaugural SME Forum and a report on MSME competitiveness. The declaration also reiterated concerns over unilateral trade measures, pushed for WTO/IMF/World Bank reforms, and supported Ethiopia and Iran's WTO accession. This is critical for understanding India's role in the Global South and multilateral trade dynamics.

India's Institutional Entrepreneurship in Green Finance: ISA, CDRI, BRICS+ Shape New Global Order

India is leveraging its G20 presidency, Global South summits, and initiatives like ISA, CDRI, and GBA to shape a new multipolar global financial order focused on green development. With climate finance needs surging and traditional MDBs struggling to meet targets, India's 'institutional entrepreneurship' offers a model for the Global South. This is a key topic for UPSC GS2 (International Relations) and GS3 (Economy, Environment).

BRICS Finance Ministers & Central Bank Chiefs Unite Against Unilateral Tariffs, Push Local Currency Settlement

The BRICS FMCBG meeting under India's chairship issued a joint statement expressing serious concern over unilateral tariffs imposed by the US, which distort trade and violate WTO rules. They also pushed for cross-border payments in local currencies and established a new Task Force on Growth and Development. This is crucial for India's BRICS presidency and global trade dynamics.

India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit Sept 12-13 2026; Group Now 45% of World Population, 37% of GDP (PPP)

India's 2026 BRICS presidency culminates in the 18th Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12-13). The expanded BRICS, accounting for 45% of world population and 37% of global GDP (PPP), faces internal cohesion challenges. Success will be judged by tangible outcomes like NDB lending, local currency trade, and technology cooperation, not just declarations.

BRICS Summit 2026: India Hosts Leaders; Proposes UPI-Linked Payment Interoperability & NDB Reform

India's hosting of the 2026 BRICS summit offers a strategic opportunity to redefine the bloc as a platform for choice rather than alignment. Key proposals include a UPI-based interoperability protocol for payment systems, NDB governance reform, and a principles-based statement on Ukraine and Gaza. This positions India as a vanguard of a multipolar, non-hegemonic Asia.

India-Philippines Strategic Partnership: BrahMos Deal, CDRI Join, BRICS Summit 2026

India and Philippines are rapidly deepening their Strategic Partnership across defence, trade, space, and tech. Key developments include the 2022 BrahMos missile deal, Manila joining the CDRI, and a new 2025-29 roadmap for maritime security cooperation, driven by shared concerns over China's assertiveness in the South China Sea.

NDB Approved 139 Projects Worth $43 Billion; India Urged to Expedite Rupee Bond at BRICS

The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi, highlighting India's strategic dilemma between non-West and anti-West identities. The New Development Bank (NDB) remains a practical tool, but its limited lending ($43 billion in 139 projects over a decade) and slow disbursement ($20 billion) lag behind AIIB. India must push the long-delayed rupee bond and expand local-currency lending to reduce dollar dependence without strengthening China's position.