India’s BRICS Moment: Reshaping Trade, Global Value Chains and Business Opportunities in an Evolving International Environment

The international business environment is undergoing major transformation, marked by uncertainty and volatility arising from geopolitics, trade protectionism, supply-chain disruption, technological advancement and the growing importance of emerging markets. In this context, BRICS has emerged as an essential platform for economic cooperation among major emerging markets and developing countries. India’s Chairship of BRICS in 2026 is particularly significant given the strong need for resilience in global value chains (GVCs), diversification of trade ties, financial cooperation and greater involvement of MSMEs in international business. Under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, the 2026 Chairship emphasised trade facilitation, global value chains, internationalisation of MSMEs, trade in services, and financial cooperation and investment. This paper examines the implications of India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship for India’s international business environment, with particular attention to international trade, global value chains, MSMEs, services and investment.