India’s exports to China, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia grew 34% to $19.9 billion in April-August 2026-27, led by a 39% jump in shipments to China, highlighting the growing importance of the BRICS bloc for India’s export growth.
“As India deepens its engagement with the BRICS bloc, strongest momentum is coming from the BRICS members, especially Core BRICS founding partners — China, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia,” an official said.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, with Indonesia joining in 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam became BRICS partner countries last year.
According to the Commerce Ministry data, exports to the four core BRICS economies grew by 34%, rising from $14.9 billion in April-August 2025-26 to $19.9 billion in April-August 2026-27.
The share of the four countries in India’s total exports increased from 9.2% during the first five months of this fiscal from 8.1% in the same period of 2025-26.
Among the core BRICS countries, China emerged as the largest contributor, with Indian exports expanding by 39% to reach $9.6 billion in the first five months of 2026-27.
At the same time, South Africa recorded the fastest growth rate, with exports surging 58% during the period. Brazil and Russia also maintained steady double-digit growth of 13% and 11%.
“India is not only strengthening its trade footprint within BRICS but is also becoming more integrated with the bloc’s largest economies. With exports to Core BRICS growing nearly three times faster than exports to the broader BRICS grouping, these markets are increasingly emerging as a key pillar of India’s export strategy,” the Commerce Ministry official said.
India’s exports to Japan, Italy, and South Korea
During April-August 2026-27, India’s exports to Japan surged to $3.43 billion, registering a 43% growth over the same period last fiscal.
India is steadily expanding its presence in key sectors that align with Japan’s industrial requirements, ranging from energy products and electronics to advanced materials.
The export momentum is being led by mineral fuels, which recorded an increase of $231.7 million (76%), highlighting growing energy trade between the two countries.
Simultaneously, exports of electronics and aluminium also recorded healthy growth.
Similarly, India’s exports to Italy witnessed a strong surge during the five months of 2026-27, rising to $3.92 billion from $3.02 billion in April-August 2025-26, reflecting a growth of about 30%.
On the other hand, outbound shipments to South Korea grew 22% to $3.21 billion.
The growth story is being driven by India’s increasing role as a supplier of industrial raw materials, energy products, and intermediate goods that feed into South Korea’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
The main sectors that helped push exports to South Korea included minerals, fuels, electronics, aluminium, iron and steel and chemicals.
As South Korea strengthens its position as a global hub for automobiles, electronics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, India is increasingly becoming a preferred sourcing partner, driving sustained growth in bilateral trade and reinforcing economic ties between the two nations, the official said.
Published – September 20, 2026 03:30 pm IST
