India Shines at 9th BRICS Industry Meet in Brazil

India played a proactive and strategic role in the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting, convened under Brazil’s Chairship on 21st May 2025 at the iconic Itamaraty Palace in Brasília – Federal District. The high-level meeting was convened under the overarching theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, bringing together Industry Ministers and senior representatives from all BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—along with newly inducted members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

A Unified Vision for an Inclusive Global Order

The meeting culminated in the adoption of a comprehensive Joint Declaration that reaffirmed the shared commitment of BRICS members to foster an open, fair, and resilient global economic environment. The declaration underlined the importance of strengthening the multilateral system, enhancing cooperation among developing nations, and building economic and social resilience amid accelerating global transformations.

India’s delegation, led by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, reiterated its deep-rooted belief in the BRICS alliance as a platform for amplifying the voice of the Global South, and as a key vehicle for inclusive and sustainable global governance.

Launch of the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub: A Milestone in Cross-Border Innovation

A key highlight of the meeting was India’s trailblazing initiative—the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub, launched on 31st January 2025 under the aegis of the BRICS Start-Up Forum. This first-of-its-kind digital platform is designed to foster cross-border collaboration, drive innovation, and support the development of robust startup ecosystems across all BRICS member nations.

India extended an open invitation to all BRICS countries to contribute to and benefit from the platform through sharing of policy insights, technological innovations, entrepreneurial practices, and mutual capacity building. The platform is expected to catalyze a stronger startup culture within the BRICS community, enhance cross-border networking, and promote scalable, impact-driven innovations.

MSMEs at the Heart of India’s Economic Diplomacy

In line with the collective vision of sustainable and inclusive industrial growth, India emphasized the critical role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in both national and global economic contexts. Highlighting its robust MSME ecosystem, India noted that as of 2023–24:

• Over 5.93 crore MSMEs are registered across the country.
• These enterprises employ more than 25 crore individuals.
• MSMEs contributed 45.73% of India’s total exports, underscoring their global competitiveness and productivity.

India called upon BRICS partners to foster collaborative mechanisms to strengthen MSMEs through shared policies, access to technology, and integrated supply chains.

Pushing the Frontiers of Industry 4.0

During its intervention, India spotlighted the transformative role of Industry 4.0 technologies—such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, and big data—in driving sustainable and inclusive industrial development. Stressing the importance of being future-ready, India advocated for an industry model that is digital-first, innovation-led, and people-centric.

The Indian delegation proudly presented the Digital India campaign as a testimony to the country’s digital prowess. Between 2014 and March 2024, the number of internet users in India surged from 251.59 million to 954.40 million, making it the world’s largest digitally connected democracy. This transformation has empowered citizens, businesses, and institutions, enabling India to leapfrog in sectors such as fintech, e-governance, and digital entrepreneurship.

Building a Future on Shared Principles

In its concluding remarks, India called upon BRICS member nations to be guided by the timeless civilizational values of:

• Sahyog (Collaboration)
• Samanjasya (Harmony)
• Samagrata (Inclusiveness)
• Sarvasammati (Consensus)

These principles, India asserted, should serve as the foundation of all future cooperative efforts within the BRICS framework, fostering not only economic growth but also equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

Looking Ahead

The 9th BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting served as a significant milestone in advancing industrial solidarity and strengthening South-South cooperation. India’s active participation, forward-looking initiatives, and strong advocacy for enhanced digital and economic integration resonated positively with fellow BRICS members. Amid global economic uncertainties, BRICS stands out as a symbol of collective strength, technological collaboration, and inclusive governance— with India playing a leading and influential role.

India remains committed to transforming challenges into opportunities and to working closely with all BRICS members to shape a just, equitable, and future-ready global order.