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India has a major opportunity to strengthen its manufacturing base and expand exports through deeper economic partnerships with China, Russia and other countries in the Global South, according to Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Kant said India should use its position within the grouping to build stronger trade and manufacturing ties. He argued that the country must look beyond importing goods and focus on becoming a larger producer and exporter.
Kant’s comments come as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investment and build more resilient supply chains. The BRICS Summit has also brought renewed focus to challenges facing global trade, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers and economic sanctions.
Deeper China ties crucial for manufacturing
Kant called for closer economic cooperation with China, particularly in sectors such as critical minerals, components and machinery.
“My view is that India needs to do this for its own sake. It’s better to manufacture in India rather than import from China. It’s important that India liberalises this further for purposes of manufacturing both critical minerals, for purposes of components, for purposes of machinery. This partnership with China for manufacturing is very, very important to my mind,” he said.
He stressed that India should create the right conditions for businesses in both countries to work together. Greater manufacturing cooperation, he said, could help Indian companies access technology, strengthen domestic production and participate more effectively in global supply chains.
However, Kant also highlighted the trade barriers faced by Indian exporters in China. Indian pharmaceutical companies and other businesses continue to face difficulties accessing the Chinese market because of non-tariff barriers.
For India, deeper economic engagement would therefore need to be accompanied by improved market access and more balanced trade. The focus should not be limited to increasing imports or exports, but should also include expanding production within India and strengthening industrial capabilities.
China’s dominance in clean technology
Kant also raised concerns about China’s dominance across clean technology supply chains. He pointed to the country’s strong position in critical minerals, batteries, solar, wind energy and electric vehicles.
He said China needs to open up its clean technology ecosystem to other countries, while India must build its own manufacturing capabilities through strategic partnerships.
Russia trade needs more Indian exports
Kant also called for a more balanced trade relationship between India and Russia. He said the partnership is heavily tilted towards imports, particularly fossil fuels, while Indian exports to Russia remain limited.
According to Kant, Russia’s large resource base and demand potential could create opportunities for Indian manufacturers. Instead of restricting the relationship to energy imports, India should work towards exporting more manufactured goods to Russia.
A stronger export component, he said, would make the partnership more useful for India’s long-term economic interests and support the country’s broader manufacturing ambitions.
BRICS could create more space for Indian businesses
Kant described the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration at the BRICS Summit as a significant achievement for India. The declaration brought together countries with differing political and economic interests, including China, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration adopted unanimously on terrorism, trade and more
He said the growing importance of BRICS should also be viewed through an economic lens. Unilateral tariffs and sanctions can disrupt supply chains, increase uncertainty and weigh on global growth, he noted.
For India, the larger opportunity lies in using its relationships across the Global South to expand trade, manufacturing and investment. Kant said the benefits of these partnerships should not be limited to importing resources or products.
Indian companies should be able to participate in production networks, gain better access to export markets and build stronger industrial linkages across BRICS and the wider Global South.
Watch accompanying video for more
Catch all the live updates from the BRICS Summit 2026
Speaking to CNBC-TV18 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Kant said India should use its position within the grouping to build stronger trade and manufacturing ties. He argued that the country must look beyond importing goods and focus on becoming a larger producer and exporter.
Kant’s comments come as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investment and build more resilient supply chains. The BRICS Summit has also brought renewed focus to challenges facing global trade, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers and economic sanctions.
Deeper China ties crucial for manufacturing
Kant called for closer economic cooperation with China, particularly in sectors such as critical minerals, components and machinery.
“My view is that India needs to do this for its own sake. It’s better to manufacture in India rather than import from China. It’s important that India liberalises this further for purposes of manufacturing both critical minerals, for purposes of components, for purposes of machinery. This partnership with China for manufacturing is very, very important to my mind,” he said.
He stressed that India should create the right conditions for businesses in both countries to work together. Greater manufacturing cooperation, he said, could help Indian companies access technology, strengthen domestic production and participate more effectively in global supply chains.
However, Kant also highlighted the trade barriers faced by Indian exporters in China. Indian pharmaceutical companies and other businesses continue to face difficulties accessing the Chinese market because of non-tariff barriers.
For India, deeper economic engagement would therefore need to be accompanied by improved market access and more balanced trade. The focus should not be limited to increasing imports or exports, but should also include expanding production within India and strengthening industrial capabilities.
China’s dominance in clean technology
Kant also raised concerns about China’s dominance across clean technology supply chains. He pointed to the country’s strong position in critical minerals, batteries, solar, wind energy and electric vehicles.
He said China needs to open up its clean technology ecosystem to other countries, while India must build its own manufacturing capabilities through strategic partnerships.
Russia trade needs more Indian exports
Kant also called for a more balanced trade relationship between India and Russia. He said the partnership is heavily tilted towards imports, particularly fossil fuels, while Indian exports to Russia remain limited.
According to Kant, Russia’s large resource base and demand potential could create opportunities for Indian manufacturers. Instead of restricting the relationship to energy imports, India should work towards exporting more manufactured goods to Russia.
A stronger export component, he said, would make the partnership more useful for India’s long-term economic interests and support the country’s broader manufacturing ambitions.
BRICS could create more space for Indian businesses
Kant described the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration at the BRICS Summit as a significant achievement for India. The declaration brought together countries with differing political and economic interests, including China, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration adopted unanimously on terrorism, trade and more
He said the growing importance of BRICS should also be viewed through an economic lens. Unilateral tariffs and sanctions can disrupt supply chains, increase uncertainty and weigh on global growth, he noted.
For India, the larger opportunity lies in using its relationships across the Global South to expand trade, manufacturing and investment. Kant said the benefits of these partnerships should not be limited to importing resources or products.
Indian companies should be able to participate in production networks, gain better access to export markets and build stronger industrial linkages across BRICS and the wider Global South.
Watch accompanying video for more
Catch all the live updates from the BRICS Summit 2026
