India has placed resilient digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and inclusive connectivity at the centre of future cooperation among BRICS countries during the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting held in Pune on August 21.
The meeting was chaired by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship and was attended by communications ministers and heads of delegation from member countries. The discussions formed part of a wider five-day programme focused on information and communication technologies.
India presented the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform for a Resilient Future” for the ICT track. The programme was organised around four broad pillars: sustainable and resilient digital and ICT ecosystems; cybersecurity and trustworthy technology; digital skills and capacity building; and innovation, startups and entrepreneurship.
The ministerial deliberations also identified a wider set of priorities for continued cooperation. These included universal and meaningful connectivity, resilient public infrastructure, trusted and people-centred digital ecosystems, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, future network technologies, startup-led innovation, digital skills and stronger cooperation among BRICS members.
The focus reflects the growing importance of shared rules, technical capacity and infrastructure as artificial intelligence, satellite communications, cloud computing and next-generation networks reshape economies and public services. Member countries face a common challenge of expanding access while keeping digital systems secure, reliable and inclusive.
The ministerial meeting followed several preparatory events held in Pune. The seventh meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs took place from August 17 to 19. The programme also included the Council Meeting of the BRICS Institute of Future Networks, meetings of the Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure and the Digital BRICS Task Force, and the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on August 20 and 21.
Delegation heads addressed the ministerial session and reviewed areas in which member countries can coordinate more closely. India also thanked participating countries for their engagement during its chairship year and for supporting the incoming chair.
The emphasis on digital public infrastructure is particularly relevant to India’s international technology engagement. India has increasingly presented interoperable digital systems as tools for improving access to identity, payments and public services, while stressing that such systems must be secure and adapted to national requirements.
Cybersecurity and trustworthy ICT were treated as core elements rather than separate technical concerns. As networks and public services become more closely connected, disruption or misuse can carry economic and governance consequences across borders. Cooperation on skills, institutional capacity and secure systems can therefore support both development and resilience.
The meeting concluded after ministers visited the Digital BRICS Forum Expo, where domestic and international technology enterprises displayed telecom and digital solutions. The practical outcome will now depend on how the agreed priorities are carried forward through working groups, technical exchanges and projects during the remainder of the chairship cycle.
