Jakarta (ANTARA) – Trade Minister Budi Santoso departed for India on Wednesday evening to attend the BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting, to discuss various strategic global trade issues ranging from the multilateral trading system to trade in services facilitation.According to Santoso, the meeting will serve as a strategic forum for trade ministers from BRICS member countries.Issues to be discussed during the meeting, scheduled for Aug. 6–7, 2026, include global value chain resilience, the digital economy, and strengthening trade cooperation among BRICS members.”This participation also ensures that Indonesia's national interests are reflected in the various cooperation initiatives produced by BRICS,” Santoso said in a statement on Wednesday.This year, BRICS is operating under India's presidency with the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” underscoring members' commitment to building economic resilience, fostering innovation, strengthening cooperation, and accelerating sustainable development to address global challenges.In line with the theme, Santoso said Indonesia will advocate expanded market access, increased investment, and a multilateral trading system that is open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based.Furthermore, Indonesia will promote cooperation aimed at strengthening competitiveness, increasing domestic value added, and fostering inclusive growth in developing countries.”In the face of global economic uncertainty, close cooperation among BRICS members is essential to foster more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable trade,” the minister said.He also reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to contribute by strengthening trade-in-services facilitation, advancing digital transformation, and developing more resilient and mutually beneficial global value chains.In addition to the main agenda, Santoso is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with trade ministers from partner countries, including India, Egypt, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.BRICS is an international geopolitical and economic grouping of emerging economies. The forum was established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and expanded with the inclusion of South Africa in 2010.It currently comprises 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, which officially became a full member in 2025.As of 2025, BRICS members accounted for 41.41 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP), 28 percent of global trade, and 45 percent of the world's population.