With China on board, BRICS calls for boosting transport, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• BRICS nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhance transport potential, including civil aviation, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.
• The joint declaration followed the BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting held in Nagpur from July 11-12, 2026, under India's Chairship.
• Cooperation will focus on developing sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure, embedding circular economy principles, and promoting sustainable aviation fuels.
• The declaration also highlighted the importance of submarine cable infrastructure for international digital connectivity and network resilience.
• This commitment is significant given the ongoing border issues between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Detailed Insights:

• The BRICS declaration aims to foster transport dialogue and cooperation to meet stakeholder demands and boost the transport potential of member countries.
• India and China, both having extensive railway and road networks, often face disagreements in developing infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in regions like Arunachal Pradesh.
• The adoption of circular economy principles in transport infrastructure development and maintenance seeks to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
• Promotion of sustainable aviation fuels and low-carbon aviation fuels is a key step towards reducing carbon emissions in international aviation.
• The declaration welcomed initiatives such as the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub and the Logistics Supply-chain Cooperation Framework.
• A dedicated Task Force is progressing towards a technical and economic feasibility study for establishing a high-speed communication network linked by submarine cables across BRICS nations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aiming to promote cooperation and development.
• Line of Actual Control (LAC): A notional demarcation line separating Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory in their disputed border areas.
• Circular Economy: An economic system designed to eliminate waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF): Non-conventional aviation fuels derived from sustainable feedstocks that can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.
• Submarine Cable Infrastructure: Fiber-optic cables laid on the seabed that form the backbone of global communications, carrying internet traffic and digital data between continents.