BRICS Summit focuses on trade, investment and strategic cooperation

Trade, investment, strategic cooperation and a multipolar world dominated discussions on the second day of the BRICS Summit. Experts and industry leaders highlighted the grouping's growing role in Global South cooperation and India’s expanding importance in global diplomacy

New Delhi: Trade, investment, strategic cooperation and the vision of a multipolar world dominated discussions on the second day of the 18th BRICS Summit, with experts and industry leaders on Sunday describing the grouping as an increasingly important platform for the Global South.

Speaking to IANS, SWFI Chairman and IBRICS 2026 Lead Co-Chair Lakshmi Narayanan said the tariff-related challenges facing many economies were not created by BRICS nations but were a consequence of the broader global trade environment, particularly the impact of US policies.

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He said BRICS members had agreed to address such challenges through collective cooperation and economic coordination.

According to Narayanan, three key outcomes emerged from the summit: efforts to boost bilateral and multilateral trade, positive progress toward resolving border-related issues between India and China, and an understanding between India and Russia to expand bilateral trade to $100 billion.

Narayanan said these developments could strengthen both economic and strategic cooperation among BRICS countries. He also highlighted the role of IBRICS as a platform focused on translating discussions into investments, projects and business opportunities.

Meanwhile, Defence Expert Ranjit Rai described the Delhi Declaration adopted at the summit as an important document for global security and international cooperation.

He said the event provided world leaders with an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of India and reinforced the need for collective action on issues such as climate change, security and economic development.

“BRICS’ original objective is to strengthen a multipolar world order, where global decision-making is not limited to a few countries,” Rai told IANS.

Former Vice Chairman of SETU Commission, Rajshekhar Joshi said BRICS had emerged as one of the most influential examples of Global South cooperation, representing more than half of the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP.

Apart from that, industry representatives also praised India’s hosting of the summit. Indo Wings Private Ltd CEO Paras Jain said India’s management of the event had enhanced the country’s global profile, while Nick Booker of Indogenius said the participation of global leaders reflected India’s growing importance in international diplomacy and economic engagement.