India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has formally proposed linking the official digital currencies of BRICS nations to enhance the efficiency of cross-border trade and tourism payments. This significant initiative, first reported by Reuters, recommends placing the proposal on the agenda for the 2026 BRICS summit, which India is set to host later this year. The move builds upon a declaration made at the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, which called for improved interoperability among member countries' payment systems. The primary objective, according to sources, is to streamline international transactions, potentially reducing the bloc's reliance on the US dollar amidst rising geopolitical tensions. While the RBI has publicly stated its efforts to expand the global use of India's digital rupee (e-rupee) are focused on efficiency and not de-dollarisation, the implicit economic implications are widely acknowledged. The e-rupee has already garnered around 7 million retail users since its launch in December 2022, with China also actively pursuing the internationalization of its digital yuan. However, the implementation of such a system faces several hurdles. Key challenges include establishing interoperable technological platforms, agreeing on common governance frameworks, and developing mechanisms to effectively manage potential trade imbalances between member states. Sources also indicate a potential reluctance among member countries to adopt technological solutions developed by others, which could impede progress. None of the core BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – have fully launched their central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for retail use, though all are actively engaged in pilot projects. The proposal, if accepted, marks a pivotal step towards a more integrated and potentially independent financial ecosystem within the BRICS bloc.