Highlighting the increase in
African nations trade with India, President Jacob Zuma has asked the BRICS members to use the bloc's Business Council as a platform to explore new models and approaches towards more equitable development and inclusive growth in the world.

Opening the Council meeting yesterday in Johannesburg, President Zuma highlighted that total trade with India, which is South Africa's sixth largest trading partner, grew substantially from 5.23 billion dollars in 2011 to 6.61 billion dollars in 2012, representing a growth of over 26 per cent.

Speaking at the inaugural BRICS Business Council meeting, Zuma said the strength of the alliance was amplified by the fact that BRICS countries accounted for 43 per cent of the world's population.

Indian participants in the meeting welcomed the agreement between the five nations to forge a closer partnership for development integration and industrialisation to contribute to the development of the African continent.

Key recommendations of the Council included working collectively to carry forward the work agenda set by the G20 leaders for promoting stronger, sustainable and more equitable growth