BRICS nations are moving closer to a coordinated framework on trade corridors, following a Moscow conference that brought together officials and economists from across the bloc to shape recommendations ahead of the September summit. The discussions focused on transport resilience, supply chain security and technological cooperation, all under India's current BRICS presidency.

Inside the Moscow Transport Talks

The conference, organised jointly by the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and India's Observer Research Foundation, brought together experts from Russia, the UAE, Egypt, India, South Africa, China and Iran. Discussions centred on the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route as alternatives to conventional shipping lanes.

Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President of the Observer Research Foundation, argued that resilient trade networks require diversification, backup routes and digital integration to withstand geopolitical shocks. The recommendations emerging from the session will feed directly into preparatory material for the BRICS Summit in September.

Key discussion points from the conference:

• Resilience of transport and trade corridors amid ongoing geopolitical instability.
• Reliability of critical resource supply chains, particularly minerals.
• Expansion of technological cooperation, including artificial intelligence infrastructure.
• Digitalisation of ports and customs procedures across member states.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, described transport connectivity and independent technological ecosystems as the foundation of economic security for the bloc, positioning BRICS as a platform capable of reshaping global governance models.

The Corridors Taking Shape

BRICS transport strategy is increasingly built around a handful of flagship routes rather than a single unified network. The most developed is the North-South corridor, which already moves cargo from Russia through Iran to India, the Gulf states and South Asia, connecting more than ten countries.

Other corridors under active discussion include:

• The Northern Sea Route, seen as the shortest maritime path between Europe and Asia.
• A Transoceanic corridor proposed jointly by China and Brazil.
• A transcontinental concept linking Murmansk to southern Africa.
• The Primorye-2 corridor connecting northeast China with Russian Pacific ports.

Analysts note that logistics integration within BRICS is likely to prioritise maritime transport and ports first, since roughly 90 percent of global trade still moves by sea. Rail connectivity is expected to follow, with road and air transport integrated at a later stage for last-mile and high-value cargo.

Trade Numbers Behind the Push

The corridor push is underpinned by rapid growth in intra-BRICS commerce. Trade among BRICS countries expanded from about USD 85 billion in 2003 to roughly USD 1.2 trillion in 2024, and combined turnover crossed the USD 1 trillion mark again in 2025. Trade conducted in national currencies has now exceeded 67 percent, according to analysts tracking the bloc's fintech infrastructure.

The bloc's expansion to ten members, adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia, has widened its geographic reach to include the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf. That expanded footprint is a core reason transport corridors have become central to BRICS economic strategy rather than a secondary infrastructure issue.

What This Means for Trade and Investment

For businesses and investors tracking emerging market logistics, the corridor discussions signal where capital and policy attention are heading over the next several years.

Practical implications include:

• Exporters using Indian ports such as Mumbai, Mundra, Kochi and Chennai could see new transhipment roles as corridor infrastructure develops.
• Firms reliant on Suez and Red Sea routes may gain alternative options through the North-South corridor and Chabahar port access.
• Startups in ports technology, customs digitisation and supply chain software stand to benefit from harmonisation efforts across member states.
• Investors in critical minerals should watch mine-to-port strategies aimed at keeping value addition within producing countries rather than exporting raw material alone.

India's position within this framework is notable. New Delhi has consistently distinguished its corridor strategy, built around INSTC and Chabahar, from China's Belt and Road Initiative, citing sovereignty concerns over routes crossing disputed territory. This distinction is likely to shape how any joint declaration is worded when leaders convene in September.