India calls for dismantling of export controls among BRICS members
The 15th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting was held on 21st May 2025 under the Presidency of Brazil, with the theme, Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance. India used the platform to oppose export controls among BRICS members, encouraging mutual support within the bloc. As India prepares to assume the BRICS Presidency in 2026, it commended the solution-oriented approach of the Brazilian Presidency in addressing critical trade issues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘See huge blue ocean opportunity in India for regional jets, perfect fit between turboprops, larger planes': Raul Villaron
Hitherto a small player in India's aviation landscape, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has its sights set on India as its next growth market—for commercial as well as defence aircraft. The company is already in the running for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) medium transport aircraft procurement project, and is also pitching its portfolio of regional commercial jets—a segment yet to take off in India—to fast-expanding Indian airlines. As part of the effort to capitalise on the opportunity, Embraer recently announced an India-focussed subsidiary. In a freewheeling interaction with Sukalp Sharma, Embraer's President and Group CEO Francisco Gomes Neto and Embraer Commercial Aviation's Head of Asia-Pacific Raul Villaron discuss the company's India ambitions and vision, including the possibility of local manufacturing. Edited excerpts: The Embraer C390 is seen as a frontrunner for the IAF's medium transport aircraft procurement project. How confident are you about winning the contract? How does the C390 stack up against competing aircraft like Lockheed Martin C130? Neto: We are convinced that the C390 is the best solution for the Indian Air Force. If you look at the last orders we got for C390—Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria—most of them replaced the C130 with the C390 because our aircraft is more modern, faster, and carries more load. It's multi-mission by design, it is more flexible. With the C390, you can perform the same missions with less aircraft. At what stage are your conversations with the IAF and the government? When do you expect a decision? Neto: I think we're moving well. They are learning more and more about the features of our aircraft, and we believe we have a good chance, although nothing is decided…We expect a decision in a couple of years. But this is not in our hands. This is more in the hands of the Indian Air Force. If you get the IAF contract, you will be setting up an FAL (final assembly line) to build the aircraft in India. Are you also open to having an FAL here for your commercial jets as well? Neto: Everything depends on the size of the order. In the case of a C390, the expectation is to have a deal for 40 to 80 aircraft, which is a lot for that size of aircraft. If the orders (for commercial aircraft) are large enough, it would be possible for us…We are bringing a procurement team already to India because we want to explore a supply chain, even without selling many commercial jets here. We already want to find component suppliers here for aircraft to be sold in other markets. Coming to commercial aircraft, Embraer specialises in regional or small narrow-body planes. This segment did not take off in India, even as the country emerged as a massive market for larger aircraft. What is Embraer's view on the India opportunity in the segment? Villaron: We see a huge blue ocean opportunity in India, where most of the unserved markets are either too long for turboprops or too thin for (typical) narrow-bodies. We see a potential for 300 (small narrow-body) aircraft in the next 10 years, and 500 aircraft in the next 20 years in India. Historically, Indian airlines either ordered turboprops or larger narrow-bodies. We feel turboprops now have a mature network in India and there aren't many growth opportunities left. It's limiting the airlines' ability to expand regional networks because the (turboprops') range doesn't let them go beyond the short sectors. Also, with improvement in India's roads and airport infrastructure, the benefits of turboprops are eroding with time. Meanwhile, the regular narrow-bodies are upgauging (getting bigger). So, the gap between a turboprop and a typical narrow-body is widening and is becoming difficult to bridge. You want to replace a 70-seater (turboprop) due to higher demand, but a 180-seater (regular narrow-body jet like Airbus A320 and Boeing 737) has more seats (than needed). But a small narrow-body like ours—up to 146 seats—fits perfectly in that gap. Why couldn't Embraer break into India's commercial aviation market? Villaron: Embraer didn't have a strong penetration in India compared to the US, Europe, and some other markets, as our earlier E1 (series) aircraft's main value proposition was trip cost, while the seat cost was higher, which did not suit a country like India where yields are very low. But our new E2 (family of aircraft) comes with more seats, and its seat cost is very competitive—same as larger narrow-body planes—while the trip cost is still 20-25 per cent lower than theirs. Are you in active discussions with Indian airlines for your E2 aircraft? Villaron: Yes. Our main partner in India is (regional airline) Star Air (with five previous generation Embraer regional jets), and they have announced their plans to expand their fleet. So, we are talking to them to understand their needs. They took delivery of another Embraer aircraft just a month ago. The business plan and the opportunity that we see for the airline is interesting, so we are talking to them. What about major Indian airlines that are predominantly in larger narrow-body operations? Villaron: As good salespeople, we talk to everyone. We want to present these opportunities that are so clear to us. We want to make sure the airlines visualise that as well. The big ones (IndiGo, Air India, etc), I think are busy with the large aircraft orders they have placed and the expansion internationally. But they also recognise there is a need to work on the regional network. IndiGo has a turboprop fleet, which at a certain point will need to be replaced and we believe that jets are going to be the next phase of the regional network expansion in India. As for Air India, their main competitor (IndiGo) has a regional network, while they don't. So, I believe they would need to look at these opportunities. We are the leaders in the regional segment, so we are confident that we will be considered. Airbus, which has a significant presence in India, also has a small narrow-body product, A220. What is your pitch to the airlines for your E2 portfolio—E190-E2 and E195-E2—vis-à-vis the A220? Villaron: If we do a nose-to-nose aircraft comparison, the E2 is much more efficient. It's about 10 per cent cheaper to operate due to lower fuel burn. It's a much lighter aircraft, has a higher-aspect-ratio wing with better aerodynamics. It has a longer interval, so maintenance cost is lower. We use a similar engine as the A220 but because our aircraft is lighter, it stays longer on the wing…We are confident that even though our competitor is strong in India, when you compare the two aircraft, our product is better. Also, if you're looking for something that really complements the gap in India's fleet, you need to buy something from the gap, not something that's almost as big as the thing you're not looking for. The A220, with around 160 seats, is very close to a (regular) narrow-body that has 180 seats. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- India Gazette
India to host BRICS Summit in 2026; forum
Brasilia [Brazil], June 7 (ANI): India will host the next BRICS Parliamentary Forum in 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced at the conclusion of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia, where member nations, in a joint declaration, also strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and called for a 'collectively' global approach with a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. The Lok Sabha Speaker, during his statement, also highlighted the commitment of BRICS nations to work together on other key issues such as artificial intelligence, economic cooperation, and parliamentary collaboration as well. Birla expressed gratitude to Brazil's Parliament, government, and people for hosting the summit and said, 'The agenda will be set for the Summit in India, and India will ensure a successful and productive hosting of the event.' 'In this final declaration, BRICS countries agreed that we must fight terrorism collectively. They condemned the terrorist incident that took place on April 22 in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, and emphasised the need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism through joint efforts. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has also called upon all countries of the world to adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism,' Birla added in his statement. On the use of Artificial Intelligence, Birla stated, 'It was agreed that AI must be used, and it is indeed essential. But there must also be transparency and accountability in its use.' Discussions also focused on economic inclusion and ways to enhance trade and cooperation among BRICS nations. Birla reaffirmed India's support for the rule of law, global cooperation, and dialogue on the world stage. He thanked all BRICS nations and expressed confidence that through joint efforts, parliamentary exchanges, and sharing of best practices, meaningful changes can be brought to citizens' lives. 'The ten BRICS countries represented in this year's forum were: India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Delegations from the parliaments of these countries actively participated in the conference and played a key role in shaping the joint declaration,' an earlier statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat said. The Indian delegation to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum was led by Birla and included Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar, Lok Sabha MPs Vijay Baghel, Vivek Thakur, Shabari Bareddy, Lok Sabha Secretary General Uttpal Kumar Singh, Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Modi, and senior officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. (ANI)
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Digital ‘9/11' is coming: Living Nostradamus warns of US civil war, digital currency, and economic collapse
US to face economic ruin and 'slow motion Civil War' Live Events 'Digital 9/11' and high-profile arrests Trump's moves seen as calculated 'chess pieces' A global order led by the unseen China, Taiwan, and the brewing military crisis The rise of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A man known as the 'Living Nostradamus' has issued a stark warning about the next three years. Athos Salomé, a 38-year-old Brazilian mystic, says the world is heading towards a period of economic collapse, political chaos, and shadowy global claims to have predicted past global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's war in Ukraine, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He has now shared a set of disturbing forecasts with the Express, pointing to major upheaval between now and to Salomé, the most severe disruptions will take place in the United States. He foresees a large-scale financial collapse triggering instability across the said, 'A slow motion civil war will begin in the US, followed by a mega cyber-attack which will be blamed on China or Russia.'This breakdown, he warns, will not be limited to protests or economic hardship. Instead, it may include a 'Martial Law Light' scenario where militias and radical groups enforce new emergency rules under state control. Salomé also suggested that such a crisis would be 'used to justify censorship and military escalation'.Salomé warns of a staged cyber event on American soil—something he calls a 'false flag attack'. He described it as a 'digital 9/11' in which power grids, banking systems, and internet services could be disrupted for the public reels from the effects, Salomé says new political and military controls will be introduced under the guise of also predicts a dramatic political twist: the arrest of a former US President. 'High probability events between 2024 and 2028 could include the arrest of a former American president – most likely Obama or Bush – on charges of international corruption,' he told the mystic described Donald Trump's years in office as deliberately strategic. He claimed, 'Trump's slew of executive orders since taking office were chess moves that would have long-lasting repercussions for the invisible bureaucratic machine that has been dictating the direction of the US for decades.'Salomé suggested that Trump's ongoing battle with the so-called 'Deep State' could even result in impeachment if he pushes too far. Yet, in his view, Trump is not the only piece on the board. Larger, invisible powers are quietly repositioning the the United States, Salomé painted a larger picture of how global governance is shifting in warned that traditional political leaders may no longer be the ones in charge. Instead, he believes 'invisible transnational groups' are taking control behind the scenes.'While the news repeats localised scandals, the global structure continues to be redesigned,' Salomé said. 'History is written by those who have the pen. And most people don't even know where the ink is.'He called this a period of 'parallel governance', where real power is increasingly exercised away from public scrutiny or democratic Asia, Salomé predicted another flashpoint: a potential invasion of Taiwan by China. He claimed that the United States would likely respond with both cyber and naval action, intensifying the confrontation between global also warned: 'China is waiting for the right moment to strike Europe and America.'According to Salomé, these actions won't necessarily look like traditional warfare. Instead, they may unfold as hybrid campaigns—technological, economic, and one of his most provocative claims concerns the future of predicted that between 2026 and 2027, the US dollar will face what he calls a 'profound shake-up', deliberately triggered by domestic forces. This, he says, will be used to justify the rollout of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).'The crash will be presented as an accident. In reality, it will be a technological reset with a political purpose [leading to] the choreographed collapse of the global financial system,' he told the believes this financial shift is not accidental but planned—a 'reset' designed to rewire how money, power, and influence operate Salomé, the decade ahead is already being shaped by what he calls invisible wars . These conflicts, he says, are 'hybrid, undeclared, and fuelled by orchestrated actions on multiple fronts.'He does not describe this as fantasy or conspiracy—but as a new normal.'It's no longer about conspiracy. It's about parallel governance,' he said. 'The reset is real. We are entering a new era – digital, surveilled, economically redefined – and those who don't understand the rules of the new game will just be pieces.'
