India's BRICS Bet is Paying Off: Exports Jump 34% to $19.9 Billion in Just 5 Months
When the world was talking about global slowdown, India quietly did something big. And the numbers are finally here to prove it.
According to the latest Commerce Ministry data, India's exports to the four founding members of BRICS - China, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia - have grown by a massive 34% in the first five months of FY 2026-27 (April-August).
This is not just a number. This is a clear signal of where India's future export strategy is heading.
The Big Numbers: What The Data Says - Let's break down the data in simple terms.
In April-August 2025-26, India exported goods worth $14.9 billion to these four nations. This year, in the same period, that number has jumped to $19.9 billion.
More importantly, the share of these four countries in India's total exports has increased from 8.1% to 9.2% in just one year. It shows that BRICS is no longer just a diplomatic forum, it's becoming an economic engine for India.
As one senior official rightly pointed out, "As India deepens its engagement with BRICS, the strongest momentum is coming from its founder members."
Country-Wise Breakdown: Who is Driving The Growth?
1. China - The Biggest Contributor
China remains India's largest trade partner in this group. Exports to China grew by 39% to $9.6 billion in Apr-Aug FY26-27. This single growth has contributed the most to the overall 34% jump.
2. South Africa - The Fastest Growing Star
The real surprise package is South Africa. Indian exports to South Africa registered a whopping 58% growth - the highest among all four nations. This shows huge demand for Indian goods in the African market.
3. Brazil and Russia - Stable and Strong
Both countries maintained solid double-digit growth. Exports to Brazil grew by 13%, while exports to Russia grew by 11%. Stability in these two markets is crucial for India's long-term diversification strategy.
India's total exports to BRICS founder members China, South Africa, Brazil & Russia surged 34% to $19.9 Billion in Apr-Aug FY26-27
It's Not Just BRICS: India's Export Footprint is Expanding
India's total exports to BRICS founder members China, South Africa, Brazil & Russia surged 34% to $19.9 Billion in Apr-Aug FY26-27
The BRICS growth story is part of a bigger picture. India's exports to other major economies also saw impressive growth during the same period:
- Japan: Up 43% to $3.43 billion
- Italy: Up 30% to $3.92 billion (from $3.02 billion last year)
- South Korea: Up 22% to $3.21 billion
This proves that India's "China Plus One" and export diversification strategy is working on multiple fronts.
Why BRICS is Becoming So Important for India?
You need to understand the background here. The original BRICS consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
But the group has expanded massively. In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia joined. In 2025, Indonesia became a member. On top of that, countries like Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam became partner countries last year.
For India, this expanded BRICS means access to a market of over 3.5 billion people and a huge opportunity to reduce dependence on traditional Western markets.
What Does This Mean For The Indian Economy?
In my 10 years of tracking trade data, I've seen such a sharp rise only a few times. Here is my takeaway:
1. De-risking Strategy: India is successfully reducing its over-dependence on US and EU markets.
2. Make in India Push: The growth, especially to demanding markets like China and Japan, shows Indian manufacturing quality is now globally competitive.
3. Future is BRICS: With new members like UAE and Saudi Arabia, India's trade with the BRICS+ bloc is only going to explode in the next 2-3 years.
Conclusion: The 34% growth is not an accident. It's the result of conscious trade diplomacy and improved product competitiveness. If this momentum continues, BRICS could very soon account for more than 15% of India's total exports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was India's export to BRICS in FY 2026-27?
Ans: $19.9 billion in the first five months (Apr-Aug).
Q2: Which BRICS country saw the highest export growth from India?
Ans: South Africa with 58% growth.
Q3: What is the share of BRICS in India's total exports?
Ans: It has increased to 9.2% in FY26-27 from 8.1% last year.


















