< Back to all clusters
[BUSINESS] · India, Russia, China · 4 sources

started · updated

India proposes BRICS CBDC interconnection for cross-border trade

At the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to propose a strategy to interconnect the central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) of member nations to facilitate cross-border trade. This approach marks a shift from previous discussions regarding a unified BRICS currency, as India seeks to reduce transaction costs and banking dependency without creating a centralized payment system that could be viewed as a direct competitor to the Western-dominated SWIFT network.

By focusing on CBDC interconnection and the use of national currencies, India aims to manage economic risks and preserve US dollar reserves for strategic imports. The push for local currency settlement is already gaining momentum; for instance, approximately 96% of trade between India and Russia is currently conducted via rupee-ruble mechanisms, while much of the trade between Russia and China utilizes yuan and rubles.

In addition to digital currency interconnection, the bloc is exploring the possibility of linking instant mobile payment systems to support small-scale retail transactions among member states.

Entities

BRICS · China · India · Narendra Modi · Russia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.