The Reserve Bank of India promotes the interconnection of BRICS countries' CBDCs, and the 2026 summit may attempt to "de-dollarize" cross-border settlements

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is pushing for a plan to connect central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) among BRICS countries, aimed at simplifying cross-border trade and tourism while reducing the dominance of the US dollar.

Sources say that the Reserve Bank of India has urged the proposal to establish a CBDC interlinking system to be included in the agenda of the BRICS summit that India will host in 2026. This will be the first formal attempt by BRICS members to establish CBDC links, which include Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, as well as new member countries such as the UAE, Iran, and Indonesia.