India to push for common standards, AI rules at expanded Brics meet
Bengaluru, India is set to lead efforts in creating a unified standards framework for
India Aims to Establish Unified Standards and AI Guidelines at Expanded BRICS Summit
India to push for common standards – Bengaluru, India is set to lead efforts in creating a unified standards framework for the BRICS group during this week’s summit. The initiative seeks to influence global trade, manufacturing, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) by setting technical guidelines. This move is anticipated to lower compliance challenges for Indian exports and bolster New Delhi’s role in international standardization.
Expanded BRICS Collaboration
Hosted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairmanship, the two-day meeting will bring together representatives from all 11 BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The gathering aims to establish a formal system for joint standard development and implementation, according to a statement from BIS, which cited its parent department, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
The enlarged BRICS coalition now represents almost half of the world’s population, around 40% of global GDP, and approximately 26% of global merchandise trade. This positions the group as a significant force in shaping international norms, particularly in areas like AI.
Strategic Tool for Trade
“Standards are increasingly being used as strategic tools in international trade. Countries are leveraging technical regulations not only to ensure product safety and quality but also to influence market access in sectors such as electronics, electric vehicles, medical devices, clean energy, and AI,” said a senior government official.
For India, aligning with BRICS partners on technical standards could reduce compliance costs and enhance the acceptance of Indian goods in key emerging markets. It also supports New Delhi’s efforts to elevate the BIS as a more influential entity in global standardization, the official added.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will open the summit on Thursday, with Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare and BIS Director General Sanjay Garg participating in the opening session. The event will feature the heads of national standards bodies from all 11 BRICS members.
AI Standards Workshop
On Friday, the BIS will host a focused workshop involving experts from India, Russia, China, and Brazil. The discussion will center on developing specifications for safe, trustworthy, and responsible AI systems. The session will address key areas like safety, interoperability, transparency, testing, and risk management, highlighting the importance of BRICS cooperation in shaping global AI governance.
India’s broader strategy includes strengthening its domestic quality ecosystem. In recent years, the government has expanded the use of quality control orders (QCOs), requiring compliance with BIS standards for hundreds of products. This initiative aims to improve manufacturing quality, protect consumers, and increase the competitiveness of Indian industries.
Government data indicates that approximately 23,700 Indian standards are currently active, with nearly 94% aligned with international ISO and IEC norms. As of November 2025, domestic manufacturers have secured 26,793 certifications for notified products and 24,330 voluntary certifications, signaling rising adoption of BIS standards, especially among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
