BRICS – India Leads New Transport Cooperation Agenda at Nagpur Ministerial Meeting
BRICS –India strengthened its role in promoting international transport cooperation as the third BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting concluded successfully in Nagpur under the country’s BRICS Chairship for 2026. The gathering resulted in a joint declaration and the adoption of a resolution focused on infrastructure circularity along with several key areas aimed at making transport systems more sustainable and efficient.
Ministers Approve Common Framework for Future Cooperation
Representatives from BRICS member nations unanimously endorsed the ministerial declaration, establishing a common roadmap to enhance cooperation across multiple transport-related sectors. The agreed framework covers infrastructure circularity, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), transport decarbonisation, urban mobility hubs, logistics supply chain cooperation, and the development of a BRICS Railway Research Network.
According to an official statement, the declaration reflects the participating countries’ shared commitment to encouraging innovation, improving connectivity, and supporting environmentally responsible transport solutions. The consensus-based approach demonstrated the willingness of all member nations to work together on long-term regional and global transport priorities.
Senior Officials Finalised Agenda Before Ministerial Session
The ministerial gathering followed the third BRICS Transport Working Group Senior Officials’ Meeting, which was held on July 9 and 10. During these discussions, senior representatives reviewed the proposed agenda, finalised policy outcomes, and prepared the groundwork for the ministers’ deliberations.
Officials stated that the collaborative discussions ensured that all participating countries had the opportunity to contribute to the final document before it was presented for formal approval. This preparatory process helped streamline the ministerial meeting and facilitated unanimous agreement on the adopted initiatives.
Declaration Highlights Shared Vision Among BRICS Nations
The official communique noted that the declaration represents a collective commitment to advancing cooperation across every priority area identified during the discussions. It also highlighted that the negotiations were guided by the core BRICS principles of mutual respect, equality, consultation, and consensus.
The participating delegations emphasised that stronger transport connectivity can contribute to sustainable economic growth while improving regional integration and strengthening resilience within international supply chains. The declaration is expected to serve as a foundation for future collaborative projects among member countries.
India Appreciates Support from Member Countries
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed gratitude to all participating delegations for their constructive engagement throughout the meetings. He acknowledged the support extended by fellow BRICS members in reaching a successful outcome and praised the cooperative spirit displayed during the discussions.
India also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a seamless transition of the agreed initiatives to the next BRICS Chairship. The government stated that continued collaboration would help maintain momentum on the transport agenda and support the implementation of the commitments outlined in the declaration.
Four-Day Programme Strengthened Institutional and Cultural Ties
The four-day schedule included the Senior Officials’ Meeting, the Transport Ministers’ Meeting, bilateral discussions, and several cultural programmes celebrating the diversity of BRICS member countries. The events provided delegates with opportunities to exchange ideas beyond formal negotiations and strengthen professional relationships.
Officials said the programme played an important role in promoting deeper understanding among participating nations while encouraging closer institutional cooperation. Alongside policy discussions, the cultural interactions helped reinforce people-to-people connections, reflecting the broader objective of enhancing collaboration across the BRICS partnership.
The successful conclusion of the Nagpur meeting marks another step in expanding transport cooperation among BRICS nations, with member countries agreeing to continue working together on sustainable infrastructure, cleaner mobility solutions, and stronger regional connectivity in the years ahead.