Strengthening Tax Collaboration Among BRICS Nations: Key Insights from Finance Minister Sitharaman

In a recent meeting in New Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged BRICS nations to strengthen their collective voice in international tax negotiations. She highlighted the need for new working groups focused on international taxation and revenue statistics to address the unique challenges faced by developing economies. The meeting also discussed the establishment of a Young Tax Professionals Programme and the development of tools to enhance tax collaboration. These initiatives aim to create a sustainable framework for cooperation among BRICS countries, ensuring that their perspectives are considered in global tax discussions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 17:04 IST

BRICS Tax Heads Meeting Highlights

File image FM Sitharaman (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi, Sep 23: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the importance of BRICS nations enhancing their unified stance during the ongoing discussions on international tax regulations.

During her address at the opening session of the BRICS Tax Heads meeting, she noted that the BRICS countries, being significant developing economies, have established considerable domestic tax capabilities from modest beginnings. Their insights are crucial for ensuring that these negotiations are equitable and sustainable.

India has introduced two new working groups focused on international taxation and transfer pricing, as well as revenue statistics. These initiatives aim to create institutional frameworks that will persist beyond India's chairmanship, which concludes in 2026.

Sitharaman explained that these groups are designed to provide a structured approach to tackle challenges faced by tax administrations within BRICS.

She remarked, "Disputes over transfer pricing disproportionately burden the tax administrations of developing nations. Revenue frameworks that do not align with our operational realities skew our perceptions and self-image."

These groups are intended to endure beyond India's leadership, with China set to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2027.

Furthermore, Sitharaman pointed out the transition of tax administrations from traditional, relationship-based methods to modern, data-driven digital systems. She mentioned that India's advancements in faceless assessments, pre-filled tax returns, real-time invoice verification, and AI-driven taxpayer support have garnered interest from BRICS partners.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of the BRICS Young Tax Professionals Programme as an annual event at the National Academy of Direct Taxes in Nagpur. The inaugural in-person session, held in April, gathered young tax officials from seven BRICS nations for a week-long program focused on international taxation.

India's initiatives have led to the creation of the Tax Collaboration Tool, Tax Knowledge Hub, and Cross-Learning Lab, with ongoing development of a VAT Modernisation Report and HR Development Index.

The BRICS Tax Support Network, which is currently finalizing its terms of reference, aims to offer a practical platform to assist tax administrations and enhance the ease of doing business among BRICS countries. Sitharaman stated that these initiatives represent a broader commitment to fostering cooperation in technology, administration, and human resources.

Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava added that the international taxation and transfer pricing working group will serve as a permanent venue for member administrations to share experiences regarding treaty interpretation, transfer pricing audits, advance pricing agreements, mutual agreement procedures, and multilateral negotiations.

He also noted that the revenue statistics working group is working on a framework to assess tax system performance that accurately reflects the realities of BRICS economies, rather than relying on models designed for different economic contexts.