India marked its presence at the ninth BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting held under the Chairship of Brazil on May 21, 2025, at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília. The meeting convened key stakeholders from across the expanded BRICS bloc, including new entrants Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the founding members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

With the central theme of “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the summit aimed to deepen industrial partnerships and policy alignments amid the ongoing global realignment and challenges. The Joint Declaration adopted by participating nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering an open, fair, and resilient global environment, advocating for a rules-based multilateral trading system and coordinated industrial development.

India's Key Contributions and Initiatives

India, represented by its senior officials and industry policymakers, took the opportunity to showcase its recent achievements and present proposals to foster enhanced cooperation among BRICS members:

1. BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub

India highlighted the formal launch of the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub in January 2025, marking the first dedicated cross-border platform for startup collaboration. The platform is aimed at facilitating innovation exchange, policy benchmarking, and creating synergies among startup ecosystems within the BRICS countries and beyond.

This initiative invites active participation from all member countries, offering them a space to share insights, innovations, and policy developments that nurture entrepreneurial ecosystems. India emphasized that the knowledge hub would foster inclusive growth, enable technology diffusion, and bridge gaps between developed and emerging innovation economies.

2. Empowering MSMEs: India’s Economic Backbone

Another focal point of India’s presentation was its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. India noted that as of FY24, the country had 5.93 crore registered MSMEs, collectively employing over 25 crore people. More importantly, MSMEs accounted for 45.73% of India’s total exports, demonstrating their critical role in the national and global economy.

India urged other BRICS members to support policy frameworks that empower MSMEs, particularly those driven by digital tools, sustainable practices, and scalable technologies. The delegation stressed that empowering MSMEs is a direct route to achieving inclusive growth, particularly in the Global South.

3. Digital India and Technological Leadership

India also underlined the monumental progress made under its Digital India campaign. The country saw an explosive increase in internet connectivity, rising from 251.59 million users in 2014 to 954.40 million users by March 2024. This digital transformation has enabled India to emerge as the world’s largest digitally connected democracy.

The BRICS forum was encouraged to explore synergies in digital public infrastructure, AI-powered governance tools, and fintech innovation. India’s experience was positioned as a model for digital inclusion, offering lessons in public-private partnerships, regulatory frameworks, and citizen-centric design.

Commitment to Industrial Cooperation and Industry 4.0

The ministers collectively agreed on the strategic importance of Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and blockchain, for the future of industrial growth. India’s delegation reinforced its belief that such technologies should be deployed in ways that amplify human potential, not replace it, and thus maintain a people-first approach to innovation.

By adopting sustainable industrial practices and leveraging emerging technologies, BRICS nations aim to develop resilient supply chains, lower carbon footprints, and support circular economies across their territories.

India encouraged the use of green technology transfer mechanisms and mutual investments in R&D, especially for sectors like renewables, bio-economy, smart manufacturing, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

India’s Closing Remarks: Sanskrit Principles for Global Unity

India’s address concluded with a cultural yet strategic message. Drawing from the Sanskrit language, India proposed four guiding principles for future cooperation among BRICS members:

• Sahyog (Collaboration): Work together to achieve shared development goals.

• Samanjasya (Harmony): Maintain balance between national interests and global responsibilities.

• Samagrata (Inclusiveness): Ensure all members, including smaller and emerging economies, benefit equally.

• Sarvasammati (Consensus): Make decisions through dialogue and mutual respect.

These principles, India argued, must be the bedrock of all future BRICS engagements, especially as the grouping expands and navigates complex global dynamics.

Global South Unity: The Broader Context

The 2025 BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting arrived at a pivotal time. The world is undergoing massive transformations in supply chains, energy transitions, and technology standards, and the Global South—especially BRICS countries—is determined to assert greater influence in shaping global norms.

India’s proactive and inclusive approach reflects its aspiration to be a bridge-builder among nations, particularly those in the Global South. By positioning itself as a technology enabler, innovation driver, and policy thought-leader, India continues to strengthen its stature within multilateral frameworks.

Outcomes and the Way Ahead

The BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting in Brasília served as a platform to:

• Renew the economic solidarity among BRICS nations and newly inducted members.

• Reassert the commitment to multilateral cooperation and economic justice.

• Promote sustainable industrial development aligned with green and digital transitions.

India's contributions were well-received, with other member states expressing interest in the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub and MSME best practices. Moving forward, the BRICS nations are expected to deepen their engagement on industrial standard harmonization, technology partnerships, and inclusive economic models.

As global polarisation increases and international institutions face challenges, forums like BRICS—especially with India’s active participation—will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the 21st-century global order.

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