2 hrs ago
India Uses Brics to Build China Alternative in Manufacturing
India wants to make more advanced products at home instead of depending so much on China.
These products include computer chips, electric vehicles and EV parts.
An industry leader says Brics countries could help India get technology, raw materials and better ways to manufacture goods.
India has approved many semiconductor projects and some factories have already started producing commercially.
Government incentives are also encouraging companies to make more automobile and EV components in India.
More EVs are being sold, and thousands of chargers have been installed.
However, selling products in Brics countries may be difficult because each market has different rules and customers.
Companies will need reliable supply chains, competitive prices and workable payment systems.
Payments using local currencies and connected digital systems could make trade easier over time.
ASSOCHAM president Nirmal K Minda said Brics can help India access technology, raw materials and stronger manufacturing processes.
India has approved 12 semiconductor projects worth more than Rs 1.64 lakh crore, with three facilities already in commercial production.
The Rs 25,938-crore PLI scheme for automobiles and components requires at least 50 per cent domestic value addition.
India’s EV ecosystem is expanding, with 67,657 chargers installed by August 7, 2026.
Local-currency payments and digital trade platforms could make Brics commerce faster and less dependent on conventional financial channels.
- Who
- India, Indian manufacturers, Brics countries and Nirmal K Minda, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.
- What
- India is exploring how Brics cooperation can support advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production and electric-vehicle supply chains as an alternative to China.
- Where
- The initiative concerns manufacturing and trade in India and across Brics and Brics+ markets; the summit will be held in New Delhi.
- When
- India will host the 18th Brics Summit on September 12-13, 2026, after assuming the Brics chairship on January 1, 2026.
- Why
- To improve technology access, secure raw materials, strengthen domestic production and make supply chains more resilient.
Key facts
- Semiconductor projects
- Twelve projects with committed investments exceeding Rs 1.64 lakh crore had been approved as of July 2026.
- Semicon 2.0
- Approved on July 15 with an outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore.
- Automotive PLI scheme
- The 2021 scheme has an outlay of Rs 25,938 crore and requires at least 50 per cent domestic value addition for eligible products.
- PLI-Auto investments
- Approved applicants had reported Rs 44,326 crore in investments by March 31, 2026.
- EV sales
- EV sales supported under PM E-DRIVE reached 26.59 lakh by June 30, 2026; about 21.30 lakh EVs had been sold under PLI-Auto by March 31.
- Charging infrastructure
- India had 67,657 installed EV chargers as of August 7, 2026.
- India-Russia payments
- A rupee-rouble payment system reportedly facilitated 96 per cent of bilateral trade, involving 22 Russian and 17 Indian banks.
Quotes
Nirmal K Minda
President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
“The current focus reflects incremental steps, bilateral arrangements, and infrastructure development to facilitate local currency settlements, with the potential for broader multilateral adoption in the future.”
firstpost.com
“In order to navigate local integration challenges, Indian manufacturers have to work towards an industrial design that reconciles diversity with functionality to ensure efficacy.”
firstpost.com







