New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged BRICS to translate its growing economic influence into stronger investment and business ties, while stressing that secure sea lanes, open supply routes and the safety of seafarers were vital for global trade.

Addressing the BRICS Business Forum in India, Modi called on the grouping to set measurable goals for reducing trade barriers and expanding business activity across member economies. He proposed identifying and removing the bloc's top 10 trade barriers, helping 100 BRICS startups expand into other member markets every year, and creating 1,000 new business partnerships annually.

"We must review our progress on these three parameters every year," he said.

Modi said ...