As BRICS expands its engagement with emerging economies and ASEAN continues to strengthen its position as a major centre of regional trade and investment, the relationship between the two economic networks is gaining greater relevance. At the intersection of these two regions, Thailand has an important role to play, offering geographical, commercial and institutional links between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
This evolving connection was among the important themes reflected at the UDC United Economic BRICS Business Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, where business leaders, trade representatives and institutional stakeholders came together to examine the changing architecture of global trade and the opportunities emerging across BRICS, ASEAN and the wider Global South.
As part of the Summit’s programme, Apoorv Agrawal was appointed as Honorary Trade Commissioner, with a focus on strengthening trade and business engagement involving India, Thailand, ASEAN .
Thailand’s position makes it particularly relevant to this conversation. Located at the centre of mainland Southeast Asia, the country provides an important link between ASEAN markets and India’s growing economic engagement with the region. Its geographical and commercial position can also contribute to creating stronger connections between ASEAN and emerging economic networks such as BRICS.
For BRICS, engagement with ASEAN opens another dimension of economic cooperation. Trade corridors, resilient supply chains, digital commerce, logistics, investment and technology are increasingly important to emerging-market economies. Greater interaction between the two regions can provide businesses with opportunities to access new markets and participate in cross-border value chains.
India’s position is particularly significant in this context. As a member of BRICS and a long-standing ASEAN partner, India has an opportunity to connect two important economic networks. Thailand can serve as a practical link within this broader engagement, particularly through trade, logistics, manufacturing, tourism, technology and investment.
Speaking on his appointment during the Summit, Apoorv Agrawal, Honorary Trade Commissioner, said:
“The growing relationship between BRICS and ASEAN presents significant opportunities for businesses across emerging markets. Thailand has a unique position in connecting India with Southeast Asia, and our focus should be on creating practical pathways for trade, investment, technology and business partnerships. The objective is to strengthen these connections at the enterprise level and ensure that regional cooperation translates into tangible opportunities for businesses.”
The appointment also highlights the growing importance of trade councils and economic diplomacy in strengthening regional business networks.
Commenting on the broader importance of the initiative, Dr. Asif Iqbal, President, United Diplomatic Council, said:
“BRICS and ASEAN represent two important networks within the emerging global economic landscape. Thailand’s position gives it particular relevance as a bridge between these markets, and the appointment of Apoorv Agrawal during the UDC BRICS Summit 2026 reflects our focus on strengthening the business dimension of this relationship. We look forward to creating stronger channels for trade, investment and institutional cooperation between India, Thailand, ASEAN and the wider BRICS ecosystem.”
The potential areas of cooperation extend across manufacturing, logistics, technology, food security, tourism, financial services and digital commerce. Stronger BRICS–ASEAN connections can also create opportunities for MSMEs and emerging enterprises seeking to expand beyond their domestic markets.
The discussions at the UDC United Economic BRICS Business Summit 2026 demonstrated that the future of emerging-market cooperation will increasingly depend on connecting regional platforms rather than viewing them in isolation. In this context, Thailand’s position and India’s participation in both BRICS and its broader ASEAN partnership provide a foundation for deeper economic engagement.
The appointment of Apoorv Agrawal as Honorary Trade Commissioner during the UDC BRICS Summit 2026therefore forms part of a wider effort to strengthen these connections through focused trade and business engagement. As BRICS and ASEAN continue to evolve as important centres of global economic activity, building stronger links between their businesses, institutions and markets can contribute to a more connected and commercially engaged Global South.
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