Bangladesh, Sept. 22 -- India is increasingly turning toward major emerging markets to expand its export base, with trade to the core BRICS economies recording a sharp increase in the first five months of the current financial year. The rise has been led by stronger shipments to China, highlighting a notable shift in India's commercial relationship with its largest Asian neighbor at a time when New Delhi is also facing renewed trade pressure from Washington.

Indian exports to China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa reached approximately $19.9 billion between April and August, compared with $14.9 billion during the same period a year earlier. The 34 percent increase underscores the growing importance of BRICS markets to India's trade stra...