India has called for dismantling of export controls among BRICS member countries at the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting, which was held on May 21 under the Presidency of Brazil. At the meeting with the theme of “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” India called for mutual support within the BRICS members.India is slated assume BRICS’ Presidency in 2026. BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and the recently added Indonesia.
Calling upon BRICS nations to promote a decentralised global trade architecture to address the developmental needs of the Global South, India called for elimination of restrictive trade measures that disrupt critical supply chains. Urging developed nations to ensure concessional transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) supported by adequate financial resources, India highlighted the need for a Permanent Solution to Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security at the WTO. India’s proposal of “30 for 30” seeks to introduce 30 incremental improvements to mark the WTO’s 30th anniversary in 2025.
India also reiterated its commitment to global cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity under forums such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and G20. The BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding has acknowledged DPI as a key enabler of digital economic transformation.A Joint Declaration was also endorsed in the meeting along with the following three annexures:
Calling upon BRICS nations to promote a decentralised global trade architecture to address the developmental needs of the Global South, India called for elimination of restrictive trade measures that disrupt critical supply chains. Urging developed nations to ensure concessional transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) supported by adequate financial resources, India highlighted the need for a Permanent Solution to Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security at the WTO. India’s proposal of “30 for 30” seeks to introduce 30 incremental improvements to mark the WTO’s 30th anniversary in 2025.
India also reiterated its commitment to global cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity under forums such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and G20. The BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding has acknowledged DPI as a key enabler of digital economic transformation.A Joint Declaration was also endorsed in the meeting along with the following three annexures:
- BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of Multilateral Trading System
- BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding
- BRICS Trade and Sustainable Development Framework
These documents collectively reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to equitable, inclusive, and rules-based global trade, with the Declaration emphasising that climate-related trade measures should not serve as tools of unjustifiable discrimination or disguised trade restrictions.
(Edited by : Poonam Behura)
