6 Essential BRICS Stories for Indian Professionals

Media monitoring of Indian print publications reveals six essential BRICS stories from the New Delhi summit, spanning cultural diplomacy, cross-border payments, and sustainable finance. This press review, grounded in media intelligence and print media monitoring, tracks the developments shaping the BRICS narrative this week.

1. BRICS Artists Unveil Friendship Mural

A front-page report in Millennium Post says artists from various BRICS member countries have collaborated to create a large-scale thematic mural at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi ahead of the September twelfth and thirteenth summit. The artwork, inspired by the concept of Sangam, symbolises friendship and highlights India's chairmanship focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability through cultural exchanges.

Why it matters: The mural at Bharat Mandapam symbolises the cultural backbone of the BRICS partnership, reinforcing India's chairmanship focus on resilience and cooperation.

Key detail: Artists from multiple BRICS nations collaborated on a large-scale thematic mural inspired by Sangam, representing friendship through cultural exchanges.

Source: Millennium Post, Delhi, 12 September

Next step: The mural will remain on display through the summit, offering delegates a tangible experience of cultural diplomacy.

2. BRICS Calls For Faster, Safer Cross-Border Payments

A front-page report in The Pioneer says BRICS leaders on Saturday called for practical measures to make cross-border payments among member nations faster, cheaper, transparent, and secure. During their New Delhi meeting, members discussed deepening financial cooperation, including India’s proposal to host a BRICS risk lab at the GIFT city international financial services centre, and acknowledged progress on using local currencies for trade settlements. Leaders also welcomed initiatives to strengthen central banking capacity and optimise sustainable green finance to address climate adaptation funding gaps.

Why it matters: Faster, cheaper cross-border payments could transform trade among emerging economies and reduce dependency on Western financial infrastructure.

Key detail: Leaders discussed India's proposal to host a BRICS risk lab at GIFT City and acknowledged progress on local currency settlements.

Source: The Pioneer, Delhi

Next step: Implementation of these measures could accelerate intra-BRICS trade volumes significantly.

3. Iran President Daughter Visits BRICS Bazaar

A front-page report in Financial Express says Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and her husband Hassan Majidi visited the BRICS Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi on Saturday. They explored textiles, handicrafts and cultural displays representing BRICS member and partner countries. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi welcomed the visitors at the exhibition which runs from September 10 to 15.

Why it matters: High-level diplomatic engagement at cultural events signals deeper bilateral ties within the BRICS framework.

Key detail: Zahra Pezeshkian and her husband explored textiles and handicrafts at the National Crafts Museum, welcomed by Union Minister Annapurna Devi.

Source: Financial Express, ANI, New Delhi, 12 September

Next step: The BRICS Bazaar runs until September 15, offering continued opportunities for cultural exchange.

4. BRICS Push Local Currency Trade

A front-page report in Financial Express says BRICS countries are pushing for greater use of national currencies in trade and investment and interoperability of cross-border payment systems to cut transaction costs, even as the grouping stepped up criticism of unilateral tariffs and protectionist measures. India's BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela said there is no proposal for a BRICS currency and the focus is on doing more intra-BRICS trade and reducing transaction costs through trade in national currencies. The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit stressed there would be no one-size-fits-all approach and backed discussions on trade settlements and investments using BRICS local currencies.

Why it matters: Reducing transaction costs through national currency trade strengthens BRICS economic autonomy and counters protectionist pressures.

Key detail: India's BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela confirmed no proposal for a BRICS currency, focusing instead on intra-BRICS trade and local currency interoperability.

Source: Financial Express, New Delhi, 12 September

Next step: The New Delhi Declaration backs discussions on trade settlements using BRICS local currencies.

5. Pezeshkian Meets UAE Prince

A front-page report in Business Line says that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, condemning attacks and urging respect for national sovereignty.

Why it matters: Bilateral diplomatic talks on the summit sidelines demonstrate BRICS' role as a platform for broader geopolitical dialogue.

Key detail: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning attacks and urging respect for sovereignty.

Source: Business Line, New Delhi

Next step: These bilateral engagements could pave the way for expanded cooperation beyond the BRICS framework.

6. BRICS endorses NDB for sustainable growth

A front-page report in The Pioneer says BRICS nations have recognised the New Development Bank as a vital institution for advancing sustainable development, cutting inequalities, and bolstering resilience across emerging economies. The declaration, issued on Saturday in New Delhi, urges the bank to expand its funding capacity, promote local currency financing, and accelerate membership growth to better serve developing markets.

Why it matters: The New Development Bank's expanded role could reshape how emerging economies fund sustainable development and climate adaptation.

Key detail: The declaration urges the bank to expand funding capacity, promote local currency financing, and accelerate membership growth.

Source: The Pioneer, Delhi, Saturday

Next step: As BRICS membership grows, the NDB's influence in global development finance is expected to increase.

Which of these BRICS developments will have the most lasting impact on India's position in the global south? For more news on BRICS developments, stay tuned to Press Monitor's coverage.