India calls for dismantling export controls among BRICS members

The 15th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting was held on May 21, 2025 under the Presidency of Brazil, with the theme, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”

India has called for removing export controls among BRICS member nations, encouraging mutual support within the bloc.

The 15th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting had been held on May 21 under the Presidency of Brazil, with the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance'.

Representing India at the meeting, Yashvir Singh, the Economic Adviser with the Department of Commerce emphasised the need to eliminate restrictive trade measures within the grouping that disrupt critical supply chains.

India urged developed nations to ensure the concessional transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs), supported by adequate financial resources.

The speech also spotlighted Mission LiFE, India's global initiative advocating mindful consumption and circular economy practices, as part of an equitable climate responsibility framework. In a speech delivered on behalf of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the Indian adviser welcomed Indonesia’s induction as a new BRICS member in 2025.

"Reaffirming India’s commitment to a fair, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system, the speech called on BRICS nations to promote a decentralised global trade architecture that addresses the developmental needs of the Global South," an official statement said.

The meeting led to the endorsement of the Joint Declaration along with 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 reaffirm BRICS’ commitment to equitable, inclusive, and rules-based global trade. The declaration emphasised that climate-related trade measures should not serve as tools of unjustifiable discrimination, or disguised trade restrictions.

India reaffirmed its leadership in inclusive digital governance through flagship initiatives like Digital India and IndiaAI.

The statement also reiterated India's 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 acknowledged DPI as a key enabler of digital economic transformation.

The BRICS is a group formed by eleven countries, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas.

India will assume the BRICS Presidency next year.