Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on BRICS members to identify and remove their top 10 trade barriers, saying India was building “economic bridges” as trade barriers increase around the world and positioning the country as a source of growth and stability amid global uncertainties.Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Modi said India’s approach to BRICS was to create more opportunities, with the grouping entering its third decade.Also read: BRICS Summit 2026: Putin slams West's 'ugly' economic warfare, claims BRICS bloc has left G7 behind“As trade barriers increase the world over, India is building economic bridges,” Modi said.“India's approach in BRICS is simple, too, to build more opportunities,” he added.Modi urged the BRICS Council to identify the biggest obstacles to trade within the grouping and prepare a report on removing them.“BRICS is entering its 3rd decade, and I urge the council to make a report on removing the top ten trade barriers amongst the member nations,” he said.He also stressed the importance of secure maritime routes and the safety of seafarers for uninterrupted trade.“Secured sea lines, safe seafarers important for safe, seamless trade,” Modi said.India positions itself as growth and solutions hubModi said India was emerging as a centre for development and a global solutions hub, pointing to startups, artificial intelligence and digital payments as areas where the country was expanding its capabilities.“India today is a paramount example of stability and growth,” Modi said.“India is becoming the global's centre for development,” he added.“India is also turning into a global solutions' hub,” Modi said.Also read: US-Israel's war has pushed Iran’s economy into a ‘far more dangerous phase’, says President Masoud Pezeshkian“Our startups and AI are enhancing the industries of healthcare and education,” he said.Modi also cited the Unified Payments Interface, saying it had taken digital transactions and financial inclusion to new heights.“India's UPI has, on a population scale, given digital transaction and financial inclusion new heights,” he said.He said India’s role as a source of confidence on growth and stability was particularly important amid global uncertainty.“Amid global uncertainties, India is a source of confidence for growth, stability,” Modi said.Modi, Putin discuss trade, seafarer safetyModi’s remarks at the business forum came hours after he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit.During their more than 45-minute meeting, the two leaders discussed India-Russia trade and investment ties and agreed to work towards increasing annual bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 from the current $65 billion, according to the Indian readout.The two sides also agreed to strengthen their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and discussed cooperation in defence, critical minerals, civil nuclear energy, fertiliser supplies and people-to-people exchanges.Modi and Putin also discussed regional and global issues, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have affected maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.“The prime minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,” the MEA said.Putin also invited Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, an invitation the prime minister accepted. The dates will be decided through diplomatic channels, according to the MEA.The two leaders also visited the INNOPROM India exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, where they interacted with participants.BRICS marks 20 yearsModi said BRICS was marking two decades since its inception in 2006 and highlighted the grouping’s expanding economic and demographic weight.“This year, we are celebrating 20 years since the inception of BRICS in 2006,” he said.BRICS nations represent 50% of the world’s population, 40% of its combined GDP and 25% of global trade, Modi said.He also said the growing scale of the grouping was reflected in the business forum, which he described as the biggest BRICS business forum in the bloc’s history.“BRICS' increasing scale and optimism is clearly evident amongst us; this marks the biggest BRICS business forum convened in the bloc's history,” Modi said.