India Pushes to Transform BRICS Into Economic and Technology Powerhouse

September 17, 2026

New Delhi: India is working to transform BRICS from a geopolitical forum into an economic and technological platform with greater real-world reach, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising resilient supply chains, startups, critical technologies, green energy and reform of global governance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, according to an article.

The article, published by Directus, said Modi stressed the need to build an alternative ecosystem of economic cooperation capable of withstanding geopolitical crises, trade wars, energy disruptions and fractured global supply chains.

Modi Calls For Greater Global South Representation

Modi called for the Global South to move from being a “rule-taker” to a “rule-shaper”, while advocating greater representation for emerging and developing economies in global institutions, including the United Nations system.

He highlighted that developing countries remain disproportionately exposed to global crises while being underrepresented in institutions that take key international decisions.

According to the article, New Delhi wants BRICS to become a platform through which emerging powers can seek greater influence without being compelled to align with a rigid geopolitical camp.

This approach is particularly relevant for India, which maintains longstanding ties with Russia, has strategic competition with China, and is simultaneously expanding economic and security ties with the United States, Europe, Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners, the article said.

BRICS Puts Startups At Centre Of Economic Agenda

The article also highlighted the growing focus on startups within the BRICS economic agenda.

The New Delhi Declaration welcomed the establishment of a BRICS Incubator Network, further consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, and stronger cooperation through the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub and Startup Forum.

The article observed that economic power in the emerging global order is increasingly linked to areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, biotechnology, energy storage, advanced manufacturing, space technologies, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.

India Seeks Greater Technology And Investment Linkages

Connecting startup ecosystems across India, China, Brazil, Russia, the UAE and other emerging economies could create a large technological marketplace, according to the article.

For New Delhi, this could also help position India’s startup ecosystem as a bridge connecting BRICS economies.

The article said India wants capital, technology and talent to circulate through new channels while positioning Indian companies close to the centre of these emerging economic and technological networks.