As New Delhi prepares to host a BRICS summit on the 12th and 13th of this month, with participation expected from the presidents of Russia and China among other heads of state, attention is turning toward the strategic role of the New Development Bank in India's infrastructure development. The NDB, which has approved over $40 billion in financing for more than 120 projects globally as of June 2026, continues to be a cornerstone for funding key Indian transportation and utility projects. Key highlights include robust financial backing for rapid transit systems, multiple metro rail corridors across major cities, and recent strategic discussions to attract private capital for sustainable national growth.
Among the flagship projects supported by the NDB is the Mumbai Metro, including a
$241 million loan for the Line 6 project and $260 million for Lines 2 and 7. The bank also provided
$346.72 million for Corridor 4 of the Chennai Metro Phase II and $225 million for the Indore Metro Rail Project. Furthermore, the bank significantly contributed to the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, an
82-kilometer corridor launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 22, 2026, with a $418 million loan.
Recent engagement between India and the NDB highlights a shift toward private sector mobilization. On
August 19, 2026, NDB President Dilma Rousseff and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussed strategies to mitigate investment risks and attract private capital into sustainable development. This cooperation aligns with India's 2026 BRICS Chairship priorities, which focus on innovation and resilience. The NDB's portfolio in India further expanded in
August 2026 with approvals for the REC Energy Infrastructure Project and the HUDCO Affordable Housing Project, both categorized as non-sovereign operations.
