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

Intl. RelationsEconomyPolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
10 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:NDB: 120 projectsNDB: $39 billionNDB: 30% local currencyIntra-BRICS trade: $1.17 trillion (2024)Intra-BRICS trade growth: 13x from $84 billion (2003)BRICS global trade share: 20% (~$10 trillion)
Bodies:BRICSNew Development Bank (NDB)Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)UNWTOWorld BankIMFUNCTAD
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.BRICS is a heterogeneous, reformist organisation of the Global South, not an anti-Western bloc.

2.NDB has financed 120 sustainable infrastructure projects worth ~$39 billion, with 30% in local currencies.

3.Intra-BRICS trade grew 13 times from $84 billion (2003) to $1.17 trillion (2024), now accounting for 20% of global trade (~$10 trillion).

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

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.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

NDB Projects Financed120 sustainable infrastructure projects
NDB Total Funding~$39 billion
Local Currency Financing (NDB)30% in last few years
Intra-BRICS Trade (2024)$1.17 trillion (13x growth from $84 bn in 2003)
BRICS Share of Global TradeOver 20% (~$10 trillion)
China's GDP (2025 nominal)~$20 trillion (larger than other 10 BRICS combined at ~$14 trillion)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›NDB Projects Financed: 120 sustainable infrastructure projects
  • ›NDB Total Funding: ~$39 billion
  • ›Target this Data: NDB financed 120 sustainable infrastructure projects costing ~$39 billion; 30% in local currencies
  • ›Target this Data: Intra-BRICS trade grew 13 times from $84 billion (2003) to $1.17 trillion (2024)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: New Development Bank (NDB) – headquarters in Shanghai, China
  • ›Target this Concept: BRICS is reformist and pluralist (non-Western, not anti-Western)

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

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which financial institution, established by BRICS, provides loans without political conditionalities for sustainable infrastructure projects?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding BRICS:

1. BRICS seeks to create a new world order that is anti-Western in character.

2. The New Development Bank (NDB) has financed 120 sustainable infrastructure projects costing around $39 billion.

3. Intra-BRICS trade has grown 13 times from $84 billion in 2003 to $1.17 trillion in 2024.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what percentage of NDB financing has been committed in local currencies in the last few years?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary strategic benefit for India in positioning itself as a 'bridge' between the West and the Global South through BRICS?

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