India has strongly called for the dismantling of export controls between the bloc's member countries BRICS and has reaffirmed its commitment to a fair and equitable multilateral trading system. India's position was expressed during the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting, held on May 21 under the presidency of Brazil.
The summit, which took place under the motto "Strengthening cooperation between the Global South and the world for more inclusive and sustainable governance", served as a platform for India, the next BRICS president in 2026, to advocate for mutual support within the bloc and praise Brazil's approach to addressing critical trade issues.
A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the BRICS Joint Declaration, accompanied by three crucial annexes: the "BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and the strengthening the multilateral trading system", the "Understanding of the governance of the BRICS data economy" and the "BRICS Trade and Sustainable Development Framework." These documents underscore the BRICS' collective commitment to fair, inclusive, and rules-based global trade.
A highlight of the Declaration was the concern expressed regarding climate-related trade measures, emphasizing that these should not be used as tools of unjustifiable discrimination or disguised trade restrictions.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush GoyalIndia extended its gratitude to Brazil and welcomed Indonesia as a new BRICS member in 2025. The speech called on BRICS nations to promote a decentralized global trade architecture that meets the development needs of the Global South.
Regarding the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO)India urged the resolution of long-standing development challenges, including a permanent solution for the establishment of public stockpiles for food security. Furthermore, it highlighted India's "30 for 30" proposal, which aims to introduce 30 incremental improvements to commemorate the WTO's 30th anniversary in 2025. India reiterated that sustainable development is a fundamental pillar of its culture and must remain a cornerstone of WTO governance. international trade.
Representing India at the meeting, the Department of Commerce's economic adviser, Shri Yashvir Singh, emphasized the need to eliminate restrictive trade measures that disrupt critical supply chains. He also urged developed countries to ensure the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) on concessional terms, backed by adequate financial resources. India's global initiative, Mission LiFE, which promotes conscious consumption and circular economy practices, was also highlighted as part of a framework for equitable climate responsibility.
Digital transformation and technology-led growth were recognized as vital areas for future collaboration. India reaffirmed its leadership in inclusive digital governance through flagship initiatives such as Digital India and IndiaAI, and reiterated its commitment to global cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity at forums such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and the G20The BRICS Understanding on Data Economy Governance explicitly recognized IPD as a key enabler of digital economic transformation.