**Title: Global Interest in BRICS Continues to Rise, Says Putin**
**New Delhi** – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that international interest in the BRICS group is on the rise, attributing this growth to the organization’s values and its independent approach to global issues. His remarks came during the BRICS Outreach/BRICS Plus session, which marked the conclusion of the 18th BRICS summit held in New Delhi.
Putin highlighted the extensive participation in the summit as a clear indication of BRICS's increasing appeal to countries worldwide. He emphasized that the group’s foundational values, which include a commitment to an independent course and a collective approach to problem-solving based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter, resonate with many nations.
Originally comprised of five countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—BRICS has seen considerable expansion in recent years. The group has introduced a partner-country category, allowing nations to engage more closely with BRICS without seeking full membership.
During his address, Putin referred to BRICS as “one of the powerful driving forces” behind the promotion of genuine multilateralism and the establishment of a “new, fairer multipolar world order.” He noted that trade among BRICS nations has reached approximately $1.2 trillion, with the group accounting for nearly a quarter of global exports and contributing to 49% of global GDP growth.
“The potential for the further development of BRICS is far from exhausted,” Putin stated, pointing to opportunities for enhancing production chains, technologies, services, and market access among member states. He underscored the importance of developing independent channels for the movement of goods, services, and capital, which would enable financial and commercial activities to proceed without external pressures.
To further strengthen the group's economic framework, Putin urged participants to consider proposals for establishing a BRICS payment and settlement-depository infrastructure, as well as a reinsurance mechanism and a grain exchange.
Practical steps towards these goals have already begun. Prior to the summit, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, along with BRICS Pay and BRICS Pay India, reached an agreement to explore the integration of the payment platform with India’s existing financial infrastructure and to prepare pilot projects for cross-border payments.
However, a comprehensive payment mechanism for BRICS has yet to be fully implemented. The New Delhi Declaration from the summit indicated that the BRICS Payment Task Force would continue its efforts to find practical solutions for facilitating cross-border transactions.
As BRICS continues to evolve and attract new interest, the organization appears poised to play a significant role in shaping a multipolar world order that emphasizes collaboration among its member states and partners.