Context

India participated in the BRICS Summit held in Brazil from 6 to 8 July 2025. This was the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in nearly 60 years. In this summit, BRICS expanded by joining six new countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. This expansion has increased BRICS' share of the global population and economy, making the group a powerful platform for the Global South.

Key Highlights:

1. BRICS Leaders’ Declaration

The declaration adopted at the summit reflected India’s priorities:

• Strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism.
• A call for urgent reforms in global governance institutions to make them more representative.

2. Call for Multilateral Reforms

India stressed that the majority of the world’s population lacks adequate representation in key global bodies. It urged BRICS to act as a unified voice demanding reforms, including restructuring the United Nations Security Council.

3. Four Key Proposals by India

India put forward four main suggestions to strengthen BRICS cooperation:

• Improving Systems and Credibility: Emphasised demand-driven decision-making, financial sustainability, and maintaining a robust credit rating for BRICS initiatives.
• Collaborative Research: Proposed creating a BRICS Science and Research Repository to benefit member countries and the wider Global South.
• Resilient Supply Chains: Called for securing and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals and technology to reduce dependence and ensure stability.
• Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Advocated the development of AI as a tool to enhance human capabilities, guided by the principle of “AI for All.”

4. Bilateral Engagements

India held meetings with leaders of Bolivia and Uruguay to explore cooperation in trade, energy, defence, space, agriculture, and technology.

BRICS as a Platform:

BRICS began as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in 2006, later including South Africa. Annual summits have been held since 2009. The group works across three pillars:

• Political and security cooperation.
• Economic and financial collaboration.
• Cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Growing Relevance

• With new members, BRICS now represents nearly half of the global population.
• The group includes major oil producers, enhancing its energy influence.
• Expansion may balance the influence of any one country and provide opportunities for coalitions to promote fair agendas.

India-Brazil Relations:

Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in South America. Bilateral trade reached $12.2 billion in 2024–25. Historical links date back to the Portuguese colonial era, with cultural and economic exchanges shaping ties. Modern cooperation spans IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and energy.

Conclusion:

The 2025 BRICS Summit strengthened India’s role as a voice for the Global South and showcased its commitment to reforming global institutions. With an expanded membership, BRICS will play a more influential role in global governance, offering India new opportunities to advance strategic and economic interests in a multipolar world.