India's exports to the four core Brics economies demonstrated robust growth, rising 34% to $19.9 billion in April-August 2026-27 compared to $14.9 billion in the same period of 2025-26, according to commerce ministry data. The share of these four countries in India's total exports increased from 9.2% during the first five months of 2026-27 to 8.1% in the corresponding period of 2025-26. As reported by the commerce ministry, this growth reflects India's deepening engagement with the Brics bloc, with the strongest momentum coming from the founding partners. The exports were driven by strong demand for fuels, electronics, metals and industrial goods across these markets.
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. South Africa recorded the fastest growth rate with exports surging 58% during the period, while Brazil and Russia maintained steady double-digit growth of 13% and 11% respectively. According to the commerce ministry, India is not only strengthening its trade footprint within Brics but is also becoming more integrated with the bloc's largest economies. The growth was supported by strong demand for fuels, electronics, metals and industrial goods across these markets.
The Brics framework has evolved significantly, expanding 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. As reported by the commerce ministry, 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 expanded framework now includes multiple countries beyond the original four core economies.
Beyond Brics, India's exports to Japan surged 43% to $3.43 billion during April-August 2026-27, with mineral fuels recording a 76% increase of $231.7 million. Exports to Italy witnessed strong growth, rising to $3.92 billion from $3.02 billion, reflecting about 30% growth. Simultaneously, outbound shipments to South Korea grew 22% to $3.21 billion, driven by India's increasing role as a supplier of industrial raw materials and energy products. The key sectors contributing to South Korea growth included minerals, fuels, electronics, aluminium, iron and steel, and chemicals. As per a commerce ministry official to PTI, 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.
