10:53Indian PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to the economic power of BRICS - which was 'growing at nearly twice the global pace' - and praised his country's startups revolution - as he closed the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday.
"When this group began in 2006, there were only four countries in it. Today, BRICS and BRICS partners together form our family of 21 countries. Today, BRICS nations represent 50 per cent of the world's population, 40 per cent of global GDP, and more than 25 per cent of global trade," he told them.
"Not only that, while global GDP has expanded about two and a half times over these years, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has grown about four and a half times. That means BRICS' economic strength has grown at nearly twice the pace of the world. BRICS nations are also emerging as significant hubs for global innovation and solutions. From grassroots to frontier technologies, new possibilities for innovation are taking shape in our countries," he added.
He also praised India's startups.
"Today, a startup revolution is underway in India," he said. "With over 200,000 startups and more than 100 [cumulative] unicorns, India is emerging as a hub for global solutions. You will get a glimpse of this at the BRICS India Innovation Expo. Our startups are transforming AI, education, and healthcare. They are working on green hydrogen and batteries, and scaling new frontiers in defence and space as well. Now, we must take these world-class innovations to the global market through BRICS as well."
India is also hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. New Delhi's 2026 chairship is focused on 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Co-operation and Sustainability'. It is pushing a 'humanity-first' and 'people-centric' approach, with stronger Global South co-operation and influence on the world's stage.
It marks the first time India has led the newly-expanded BRICS organisation - 11 members, plus 10 partner countries introduced in 2025.
BRICS is now a hugely influential bloc, comprising 40 per cent of global GDP and nearly half the world's population. It was created in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining a year later - and later expanded again, admitting more countries in 2024 and 2025.
Startup revolution underway in India - Modi praises BRICS economic strength, 'growing at nearly twice global pace'
Indian PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to the economic power of BRICS - which was 'growing at nearly twice the global pace' - and praised his country's startups revolution - as he closed the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday.
"When this group began in 2006, there were only four countries in it. Today, BRICS and BRICS partners together form our family of 21 countries. Today, BRICS nations represent 50 per cent of the world's population, 40 per cent of global GDP, and more than 25 per cent of global trade," he told them.
"Not only that, while global GDP has expanded about two and a half times over these years, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has grown about four and a half times. That means BRICS' economic strength has grown at nearly twice the pace of the world. BRICS nations are also emerging as significant hubs for global innovation and solutions. From grassroots to frontier technologies, new possibilities for innovation are taking shape in our countries," he added.
He also praised India's startups.
"Today, a startup revolution is underway in India," he said. "With over 200,000 startups and more than 100 [cumulative] unicorns, India is emerging as a hub for global solutions. You will get a glimpse of this at the BRICS India Innovation Expo. Our startups are transforming AI, education, and healthcare. They are working on green hydrogen and batteries, and scaling new frontiers in defence and space as well. Now, we must take these world-class innovations to the global market through BRICS as well."
India is also hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. New Delhi's 2026 chairship is focused on 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Co-operation and Sustainability'. It is pushing a 'humanity-first' and 'people-centric' approach, with stronger Global South co-operation and influence on the world's stage.
It marks the first time India has led the newly-expanded BRICS organisation - 11 members, plus 10 partner countries introduced in 2025.
BRICS is now a hugely influential bloc, comprising 40 per cent of global GDP and nearly half the world's population. It was created in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining a year later - and later expanded again, admitting more countries in 2024 and 2025.
Indian PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to the economic power of BRICS - which was 'growing at nearly twice the global pace' - and praised his country's startups revolution - as he closed the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday.
"When this group began in 2006, there were only four countries in it. Today, BRICS and BRICS partners together form our family of 21 countries. Today, BRICS nations represent 50 per cent of the world's population, 40 per cent of global GDP, and more than 25 per cent of global trade," he told them.
"Not only that, while global GDP has expanded about two and a half times over these years, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has grown about four and a half times. That means BRICS' economic strength has grown at nearly twice the pace of the world. BRICS nations are also emerging as significant hubs for global innovation and solutions. From grassroots to frontier technologies, new possibilities for innovation are taking shape in our countries," he added.
He also praised India's startups.
"Today, a startup revolution is underway in India," he said. "With over 200,000 startups and more than 100 [cumulative] unicorns, India is emerging as a hub for global solutions. You will get a glimpse of this at the BRICS India Innovation Expo. Our startups are transforming AI, education, and healthcare. They are working on green hydrogen and batteries, and scaling new frontiers in defence and space as well. Now, we must take these world-class innovations to the global market through BRICS as well."
India is also hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. New Delhi's 2026 chairship is focused on 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Co-operation and Sustainability'. It is pushing a 'humanity-first' and 'people-centric' approach, with stronger Global South co-operation and influence on the world's stage.
It marks the first time India has led the newly-expanded BRICS organisation - 11 members, plus 10 partner countries introduced in 2025.
BRICS is now a hugely influential bloc, comprising 40 per cent of global GDP and nearly half the world's population. It was created in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining a year later - and later expanded again, admitting more countries in 2024 and 2025.