Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that unrestricted navigation and the safety of seafarers are essential pillars of the world economy. He noted the rapid growth of BRICS’ economic clout and urged deeper cooperation to drive innovation and secure supply chains.

  • Freedom of navigation and seafarer safety are vital for global trade
  • BRICS GDP has grown 4.5‑fold, outpacing global average
  • Innovation, investment and talent exchange are crucial next steps

New Delhi – At the BRICS Business Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that the freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers are critical to the stability of the global economy. He warned that rising disruptions to maritime routes and fragile supply chains pose serious risks to worldwide commerce.

Modi pointed out that BRICS nations now represent half of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and over 25% of international trade, underscoring the bloc’s growing economic significance.

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Historical Background: Formed in 2010 with Brazil, Russia, India and China, the BRICS group later added South Africa. Over the past decade, the collective GDP of the bloc has surged to roughly 4.5 times its 1990 level, outpacing the global GDP growth of about 2.5 times. This rapid expansion has turned BRICS into a major driver of worldwide economic activity.

The Prime Minister also highlighted BRICS’ evolution into an innovation hub, where grassroots initiatives and frontier technologies are delivering new solutions to strengthen resilient supply chains.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that any interruption in maritime security immediately impacts commodity prices, energy supplies and export revenues of developing nations. Consequently, coordinated BRICS actions on navigation freedom can act as a stabilising force for global trade.

"Securing the seas is the first step toward reviving the global economy," says international maritime security expert Dr. Anna Paul.
Did You Know?: Approximately 90% of world trade by volume moves by sea, making navigation freedom the backbone of economic stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What specific measures are BRICS countries taking to enhance maritime safety?

Answer: Joint naval exercises, harmonised port security standards, and collaborative training programmes for seafarers are being expanded.

Question 2: How will India’s push for navigation freedom benefit small and medium enterprises?

Answer: More secure supply chains and access to emerging technologies will lower costs and open new market opportunities for SMEs.