Pune, Aug 22: India has placed digital innovation, cybersecurity, skills development and resilient infrastructure at the heart of its BRICS 2026 Chairship, seeking stronger cooperation among member countries as emerging technologies rapidly reshape economies and societies.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the theme ‘Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future’ at the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune.
The theme sets out four key priorities for cooperation: developing sustainable and resilient digital and ICT ecosystems, strengthening cybersecurity and trusted technologies, expanding digital skills and capacity building, and supporting innovation, startups and entrepreneurship.
Addressing the meeting, Scindia said India had assumed the BRICS Chairship with a commitment to promoting resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability in the digital ecosystem.
He said rapid advances in artificial intelligence, next-generation networks, satellite communications, cloud computing and digital infrastructure are transforming the way economies and societies function. He stressed that technological progress must remain secure, inclusive, sustainable and focused on people’s needs.
The minister said BRICS countries would need to work together on a broad range of priorities, including universal and meaningful connectivity, resilient public infrastructure, trusted digital ecosystems, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, future network technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital expansion and stronger cooperation among member countries.
Scindia also highlighted the growing influence of BRICS in global economic and technology discussions, noting the group’s significant share of the world’s population and economic output.
The meeting brought together heads of delegations from BRICS member countries, who shared their views on strengthening cooperation in communications and information and communications technology. India thanked the participating countries for their active engagement during its Chairship and conveyed its support to the incoming Chair.
Highlighting India’s own digital transformation, Scindia said the country has made significant progress in expanding digital infrastructure and building technology-driven systems over the past decade.
The visiting ministers and delegates also toured the Digital BRICS Forum Expo, where Indian and international technology companies showcased telecom solutions and emerging technologies.
The meeting underscored India’s push to make digital cooperation a stronger pillar of the BRICS partnership and to promote a technology ecosystem that is secure, inclusive, innovative and resilient.