New Delhi is using its 2026 BRICS chairship to advance cooperation on artificial intelligence, future communications and digital public infrastructure
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Photo source: Shinsei Motions / iStock
India has placed digital cooperation and next-generation network technologies at the centre of its BRICS 2026 agenda, as member states meet in Pune for the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs. This is reported by IANS, a TV BRICS partner.
The three-day meeting is examining ways to strengthen cooperation in information and communication technologies, with discussions covering artificial intelligence, advanced communications, Industry 4.0 applications and digital public infrastructure.
Amit Agrawal, Secretary of India’s Department of Telecommunications, outlined the ICT Track's theme under India's chairship: “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” The agenda is structured around four pillars intended to guide cooperation among BRICS members.
The Pune meeting marks a new stage in discussions that have taken place since India assumed the BRICS ICT Track chairship earlier this year. Officials and experts have held working-group meetings, thematic webinars and consultations on proposed priorities in preparation for the current programme.
A key element of the meeting is the work of the BRICS Institute of Future Networks, whose council reviewed activities carried out by national branches and considered updates from specialist study groups.
The discussions include artificial intelligence, next-generation communications, Industry 4.0 internet applications and electromagnetic-field exposure.
The focus reflects the growing importance of digital infrastructure and emerging technologies to economic resilience, industrial development and cross-border cooperation.
The working group is reviewing a set of priorities identified by India's BRICS chairship, as well as responses submitted by member states to a survey on the issues under consideration.
Agrawal said the preparatory process had allowed participating countries to exchange national experiences and develop a shared understanding of digital priorities.
The meetings form part of the wider BRICS cooperation track on information and communication technologies, with India seeking to use its 2026 chairship to deepen practical cooperation between member states.
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