Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes
Indian PM highlights economic strength and cooperation at BRICS Business Forum.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes
Photograph: Devdiscourse (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged BRICS nations to remove trade barriers and strengthen business partnerships at the BRICS Business Forum.
- Modi stated that BRICS nations account for 50% of the world's population and 40% of its GDP, with economies growing at approximately twice the rate of the global economy.
- The Prime Minister stressed the importance of secure sea lanes and seafarers' safety for the continuation of global trade.
- He also highlighted India's role as a hub for innovation and solutions amidst global uncertainties.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 17 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 21 of the 38 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
42/100
Craft
57/100
Hype
41/100
38 sources · methodology
Thin on the left so far
Only 2 of the 17 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated left.
This story is still being watched, so it is a count and not yet a finding. Coverage keeps arriving for hours after an event, and a side that has published nothing this morning may publish by tonight. If it is still true when we stop checking, we will say so plainly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS Business Forum, calling for increased cooperation and the removal of trade barriers among member nations. He highlighted the significant economic contributions of the BRICS group, stating that its countries represent 50% of the world's population and 40% of its GDP. Modi also noted that BRICS economies have expanded at roughly twice the growth rate of the world economy.
During his address, Modi emphasized the critical role of secure sea lanes and the safety of seafarers for enabling global trade. He also presented India as a source of confidence for growth and stability amid global uncertainties, positioning the country as a hub for innovation and solutions. The Prime Minister urged BRICS countries to strengthen business partnerships and remove impediments to trade.
Disagreement on trade barrier specifics
While Prime Minister Modi urged BRICS countries to remove trade barriers, the specific number of barriers to be removed was reported differently. Devdiscourse, The Hindu Business Line, and The Free Press Journal reported Modi calling for the removal of trade barriers without specifying a number. In contrast, Business Today and TV9 Hindi reported Modi urging BRICS members to identify and remove their top 10 trade barriers.
What the coverage left out
None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific figure of BRICS economies expanding at 'nearly four-and-a-half-fold' growth rate, as stated by Prime Minister Modi in the full report from Devdiscourse. The digests from the centre and right-rated outlets only mention the growth rate being 'twice' or 'roughly twice' the global economy.
Still developing. We have re-checked which outlets are covering this 2 times, most recently on 11 Sept 2026, 16:30, and will add the sides that appear.
How other outlets pictured it
Which photograph to run is each newsroom’s own choice. The leaning beside a name is that outlet’s published rating, not a claim that the pictures divide along it. Every picture is shown from the outlet’s own server and links to the article it ran in.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
2 rated outlets
- The single left-rated report, One India, led on Prime Minister Modi's statement that India is becoming a 'global solution hub'. It noted that the BRICS grouping has expanded to 21 countries, representing 50% of the global population, 40% GDP, and 20% trade. The report also mentioned the grouping marking 20 years and described the forum as the 'biggest BRICS forum in India till date'.
Centre
4 rated outlets
- Centre-rated reports from Devdiscourse, Hindustan Times, The Statesman, and Hola News focused on Prime Minister Modi's emphasis on BRICS as innovation and trade powerhouses amidst global uncertainties. Devdiscourse highlighted Modi praising BRICS nations for their role in global innovation and trade, and their economic strength. Hindustan Times noted Modi highlighting the growing economic influence of BRICS, with its nations representing 50% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP, and over 25% of global trade. The Statesman reported Modi calling for stronger BRICS business partnerships, stating India can be a growth and stability anchor. Hola News mentioned Modi defending free trade against rising protectionism and highlighting safe shipping routes.
Right
11 rated outlets
- Right-rated reports from Times of India, India TV News, The Hindu Business Line, aninews.in, NDTV, Moneycontrol, Tribune India, India Today, and ABP News led on Prime Minister Modi's statements regarding trade barriers and the security of sea lanes. India TV News and NDTV specifically mentioned Modi's reference to Hormuz in the context of secure sea routes being essential for global trade. The Hindu Business Line and India Today also highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and seafarers' safety. Times of India and ABP News reported Modi's assertion that BRICS economies are growing at approximately twice the global rate. Aninews.in and Moneycontrol noted Modi's call for removing trade barriers and securing supply routes amidst rising global protectionism. Tribune India mentioned the 'speed, scale and optimism of BRICS'.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes?
- Of the 17 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 12% are rated left, 23% are rated centre, 65% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 38. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 17 rated outlets on this story, 12% are rated left, 23% are rated centre, 65% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes biased?
- Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes is one event reported by 38 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated left had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Modi urges BRICS to cut trade barriers, secure sea lanes?
- 38 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What did PM Modi say about BRICS economies?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that BRICS economies have expanded at roughly twice the growth rate of the world economy. He also highlighted that BRICS nations account for 50% of the world's population and 40% of its GDP, underscoring their significant economic strength.
- Why did PM Modi stress the importance of sea lanes?
- Prime Minister Modi emphasized that secure sea lanes and the safety of seafarers are critical for the continuation of global trade. He stated that global trade can only advance when supply routes remain open and seafarers are protected, supporting freedom of navigation.
- What did PM Modi urge BRICS countries to do?
- Prime Minister Modi urged BRICS countries to remove trade barriers and strengthen business partnerships. He also called for enhanced cooperation to foster growth, innovation, and shared prosperity amidst global economic uncertainties and rising protectionism.
Read it at the source
38 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
2Centre
4- Modi Defends Against the BRICS Free Trade Against the Global Rise of Protectionism (opens Hola News in a new tab)
- PM Modi’s opening message: India’s BRICS presidency puts economic power on a new track |Putin, China (opens Hindustan Times in a new tab)
Hindustan Times — is Hindustan Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'India can be a growth and stability anchor': PM Modi calls for stronger BRICS business partnerships (opens The Statesman in a new tab)
The Statesman — is The Statesman biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi Highlights BRICS as Innovation and Trade Powerhouses Amid Global Uncertainties (opens Devdiscourse in a new tab)
Devdiscourse — is Devdiscourse biased? Our profile of this outlet
Right
11- India Source of Global Growth Amid Instability, Says PM Modi (opens Deccan Chronicle in a new tab)
Deccan Chronicle — is Deccan Chronicle biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trade Barriers Rising Globally, India Building Economic Bridges: PM Modi at BRICS Business Forum (opens Latestly in a new tab)
- ‘BRICS economies growing at twice global rate’: Modi on trade barriers & freedom of navigation (opens Times of India in a new tab)
Times of India — is Times of India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- At BRICS Business Forum, PM Modi mentions Hormuz: 'Global trade only possible when sea routes are safe' (opens India TV News in a new tab)
India TV News — is India TV News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Freedom of navigation, seafarers' safety important for promoting global trade: PM Modi (opens The Hindu Business Line in a new tab)
The Hindu Business Line — is The Hindu Business Line biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Amid global uncertainties, India offers confidence for growth and stability, is building economic bridges: PM Modi at BRICS Business Forum (opens aninews.in in a new tab)
aninews.in — is aninews.in biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sea Routes Need To Be Secure: PM Modi's Hormuz Reference At BRICS Event (opens NDTV in a new tab)
- Global trade needs secure supply routes as barriers rise, PM Modi tells BRICS (opens Moneycontrol in a new tab)
Moneycontrol — is Moneycontrol biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 3 more
- Speed, scale and optimism of BRICS evident: PM Modi at BRICS Business Forum - The Tribune (opens Tribune India in a new tab)
Tribune India — is Tribune India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Freedom of navigation and seafarers' safety critical to global economy, PM tells BRICS Business Forum (opens India Today in a new tab)
India Today — is India Today biased? Our profile of this outlet
- ‘Global Trade Needs Secure Sea Lanes, Supply Is Open’: PM Modi’s Message To US, Iran (opens ABP News in a new tab)
Not rated
21- 'Sea Lanes Must Be Secure'; Modi Clarifies Position at BRICS Forum Amid Hormuz Crisis, Also Highlights India's Economic Strength (opens Janam TV in a new tab)
- Sea Routes Need To Be Secure: PM Modi’s Hormuz Reference At BRICS Event (opens online-listing.com in a new tab)
online-listing.com — is online-listing.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- ‘Trade barriers rising globally, India building bridges’: PM Modi at Brics business forum (opens PressNewsAgency in a new tab)
PressNewsAgency — is PressNewsAgency biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi Proposes 3 Mantras for BRICS: Focus on Trade, Startups, and Partnerships (opens Zoom News in a new tab)
- World Leaders Share the Stage at the BRICS Business Forum; Narendra Modi Welcomes Masoud Pesashkian, Says 'Cooperation Should Be Strengthened' (opens Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd in a new tab)
Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd — is Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd biased? Our profile of this outlet
- BRICS Summit: Irans President Highlights Economic Cooperation Amid Global Challenges (opens Udaipur News in a new tab)
Udaipur News — is Udaipur News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi BRICS speech: 10 key takeaways on peace, trade, sea lanes and economy (opens Mathrubhumi in a new tab)
Mathrubhumi — is Mathrubhumi biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi | PM Modi's Big Statement at the BRICS Business Forum; From Startups to UPI, India's Progress Is Just Around the Corner. (opens TV9 Marathi in a new tab)
TV9 Marathi — is TV9 Marathi biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 13 more
- PM Modi's big push for safer global trade at BRICS Business Summit: 'World builds barriers, India builds bridges' (opens The Week in a new tab)
- ‘BRICS nations becoming important centres for global innovations’: PM Modi at BRICS Business Summit (opens NEWS9 LIVE in a new tab)
NEWS9 LIVE — is NEWS9 LIVE biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi urges BRICS to identify trade barriers and support 100 startups annually (opens The News Mill in a new tab)
The News Mill — is The News Mill biased? Our profile of this outlet
- India's Economic Integration at a Time of Rising Trade Barriers Globally: Modi's Statement at BRICS Business Forum (opens TV9 Kannada in a new tab)
TV9 Kannada — is TV9 Kannada biased? Our profile of this outlet
- BRICS Summit 2026: Secure Sea Lanes Key To Global Trade, PM Modi Backs Seafarers Safety (opens The Free Press Journal in a new tab)
The Free Press Journal — is The Free Press Journal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Prime Minister Modi's Sensational Statement: India Is a Compass for the World! A Leader in Development and Sustainability (opens Andhravilas in a new tab)
Andhravilas — is Andhravilas biased? Our profile of this outlet
- India offers hope for growth amid global uncertainties: PM Modi (opens India News Australia in a new tab)
India News Australia — is India News Australia biased? Our profile of this outlet
- India Becomes A Global Solution Hub, Says PM Modi At BRICS Business Forum (opens The CSR Journal in a new tab)
The CSR Journal — is The CSR Journal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- India offers hope for growth amid global uncertainties: PM Modi (opens bhaskarlive.in in a new tab)
bhaskarlive.in — is bhaskarlive.in biased? Our profile of this outlet
- BRICS must remove top 10 trade barriers, secure sea routes for seamless trade, says PM Modi - BusinessToday (opens Business Today in a new tab)
Business Today — is Business Today biased? Our profile of this outlet
- PM Modi Calls India a Global Solution Hub at BRICS Forum (opens The News 21 in a new tab)
The News 21 — is The News 21 biased? Our profile of this outlet
- India, Through BRICS, Wants to Remove Barriers Between Countries, Said Modi. (opens 1prime.ru in a new tab)
- PM Modi's Big Appeal to BRICS Countries to Remove 10 Barriers Related to Business (opens TV9 Hindi in a new tab)
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