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What is the story about?
India is expected to push for better market access and explore trade deals with its BRICS partners as New Delhi looks to narrow a widening gap between imports and exports with the bloc, government sources said.
BRICS countries accounted for 41.5% of India's merchandise imports in FY2026, compared with 21.7% of its exports. India's trade deficit with the group stood at $226.1 billion during the year.
China accounted for nearly half of that deficit, with India continuing to engage with Beijing on ways to improve access for Indian goods in the Chinese market.
India imported goods worth $321.8 billion from BRICS countries in FY2025-26, while exports stood at $95.7 billion.
China was India's largest source of the trade gap at $112.16 billion. The deficit was more than $50 billion with Russia, $26.53 billion with the UAE, more than $20 billion with Saudi Arabia and $15.8 billion with Indonesia.
The figures underline the challenge facing India as it seeks to deepen economic ties with the BRICS grouping while also improving the terms of trade with individual members.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi prepares for global leaders as trade, defence talks take centre stage
Trade takes centre stage
New Delhi is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13. Trade and economic ties are expected to feature prominently in India's discussions with member countries, alongside broader issues involving investment and cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit. The discussions are expected to cover defence, trade and economic ties, while a possible Russian offer of Su-57 fighter aircraft has also attracted attention.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the summit, although Beijing had yet to officially confirm his participation. If he attends, it would be his first visit to India in seven years.
Iran's president is also expected to participate in the summit.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity to push for greater access for its exports in BRICS markets while seeking closer trade and investment ties with some of the world's largest emerging economies.
Also Read: Is Xi Jinping attending the BRICS summit? Here's what we know so far
BRICS countries accounted for 41.5% of India's merchandise imports in FY2026, compared with 21.7% of its exports. India's trade deficit with the group stood at $226.1 billion during the year.
China accounted for nearly half of that deficit, with India continuing to engage with Beijing on ways to improve access for Indian goods in the Chinese market.
India imported goods worth $321.8 billion from BRICS countries in FY2025-26, while exports stood at $95.7 billion.
China was India's largest source of the trade gap at $112.16 billion. The deficit was more than $50 billion with Russia, $26.53 billion with the UAE, more than $20 billion with Saudi Arabia and $15.8 billion with Indonesia.
The figures underline the challenge facing India as it seeks to deepen economic ties with the BRICS grouping while also improving the terms of trade with individual members.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi prepares for global leaders as trade, defence talks take centre stage
Trade takes centre stage
New Delhi is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13. Trade and economic ties are expected to feature prominently in India's discussions with member countries, alongside broader issues involving investment and cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit. The discussions are expected to cover defence, trade and economic ties, while a possible Russian offer of Su-57 fighter aircraft has also attracted attention.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the summit, although Beijing had yet to officially confirm his participation. If he attends, it would be his first visit to India in seven years.
Iran's president is also expected to participate in the summit.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity to push for greater access for its exports in BRICS markets while seeking closer trade and investment ties with some of the world's largest emerging economies.
Also Read: Is Xi Jinping attending the BRICS summit? Here's what we know so far
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