BENGALURU: In a major geopolitical move aimed at breaking the long-standing Western monopoly on global trade rules, the BRICS bloc has signed a crucial pact to collaborate on product standardisation.After four years of intense deliberations, the 11-member alliance is positioning itself to challenge the dominance of America and Europe at influential global forums like the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission.A key frontier for this unified front is artificial intelligence (AI). In a closed-door meeting held in Bengaluru Thursday, experts from India, Russia, China, Brazil, and the UAE presented frameworks to establish common standards for AI, aiming to foster trustworthy, safe, and responsible technologies.Reena Garg, deputy director general of standardisation, told TOI that the AI aspect is a direct extension of the memorandum of understanding and a vital part of international collaboration among BRICS nations to build a common consensus.Explaining the strategic weight of the pact, Bureau of Indian Standards director general Sanjay Garg said if this works, BRICS can influence the development of international standards and have a powerful voice in these processes, which are currently dominated by Americans and Europeans. The consensus was achieved after five months of virtual meetings. Sanjay Garg noted that no country can develop without following strict standards and quality certification.Nidhi Khare, secretary in the department of consumer affairs, added that standards bring essential trust to global commerce, noting that India is focusing on a mantra of quality, zero defect, and zero environmental effect to elevate its industries on the global stage. The grand global strategy, however, faces immediate domestic hurdles. While Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Prahlad Joshi, who inaugurated the meet claimed India is welcomed everywhere with a red carpet, he faced tough questions regarding Indian mango shipments being rejected and returned due to poor quality.
