'Trade barriers rising globally, India building bridges': PM Modi at Brics business forum

NewsIndia News'Trade barriers rising globally, India building bridges': PM Modi at Brics business forum 'Trade barriers rising globally, India building bridges': PM Modi at Brics business forum Edited by: Aashish Saxena / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Sep 11, 2026, 20:27 IST Trade barriers rising globally, India building economic bridges: PM Modi at BRICS Business Forum Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday positioned India as a bridge-builder in an increasingly fragmented global economy, saying the country is responding to rising trade barriers by expanding free-trade partnerships, strengthening supply chains and creating new avenues for businesses across the BRICS grouping.Addressing the Leaders' Session of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, PM Modi said the global trading environment is becoming more difficult as countries increasingly turn to tariffs, restrictions and other barriers to protect domestic industries.

Against this backdrop, he said, India is pursuing greater economic integration by negotiating and signing trade agreements with a growing number of countries. Brics members and partner countries now account for over 40% of the global GDP.

The Leaders' Session in New Delhi was attended by Brics leaders, the Chairs of the Brics Business Council and the Brics Women's Business Alliance. Modi also joined the participating dignitaries for a group photograph.The forum is being held as India hosts the 18th Brics Summit under its 2026 chairship.

India's presidency is centred on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with development, sustainability and innovation among its principal priorities.Why Brics matters to India Brics has expanded considerably from its original five-member format and now comprises 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE.Collectively, the grouping represents around 49.5% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade, according to background information on India's 2026 chairship.For India, the economic significance of Brics therefore goes beyond the traditional diplomatic role of the grouping.

Its large consumer markets, energy producers, manufacturing economies and emerging technology sectors create opportunities for greater trade and investment.Join conversation InsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig Development PM Modi's address sought to underline India's position within that changing economic landscape: as a country attempting to keep markets open, diversify supply chains, build strategic industrial capacity and use its digital infrastructure to expand economic participation.His broader pitch was that as geopolitical tensions and protectionism reshape global commerce, India wants to position itself as a reliable economic partner, one that can connect businesses, markets, investment and technology across an increasingly fragmented world.

Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. Aashish Saxena is an Assistant News Editor at the Times of India. He has 14 years of editing and reporting experience in both print and digital media. He writes extensively on geopolitics, Indian politics, defence tech, and current affairs in South Asia and Middle East.