BRICS

India has assumed the BRICS Presidency in 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The focus is on strengthening Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) cooperation, especially in emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep-tech, and digital governance.

Evolution of STI Cooperation in BRICS

Early Recognition of Cooperation

STI cooperation began with the Sanya Declaration, where science and technology were formally included in the BRICS agenda to address developmental challenges.

Institutional Framework Development

The 2015 MoU on STI Cooperation marked a major step toward structured collaboration. The BRICS Young Scientist Forum (YSF) was also established to promote networking among young researchers.

Expansion to Innovation and Technology Transfer

The BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017–2020) expanded the scope from academic research to entrepreneurship and commercialization. The creation of the Technology Transfer Centre (TTC) enabled collaboration among startups, incubators, and science parks.

Recent Advancements (2021–2026)

Under the BRICS Innovation Action Plan (2021–2024), led by India, cooperation deepened further. A major milestone was the Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation agreement, enabling data sharing among BRICS nations.

Recent declarations at Kazan and Rio de Janeiro have shifted focus toward deep-tech areas, especially making AI a central pillar of governance. The expansion into BRICS+ has further enhanced technological capacity and collaboration potential.

Enlargement of BRICS and Global Role

Formation and Growth

The term BRIC was coined by Jim O’Neill in 2001. The grouping evolved into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa and has now expanded into BRICS+.

BRICS+ Composition

BRICS+ includes:

• Original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa

• New members: Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran

The bloc represents nearly 50% of the global population, about 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade.

Institutional Features

BRICS operates through a rotating chairmanship and is based on three pillars:

• Political and security cooperation

• Economic and financial cooperation

• People-to-people exchanges

It lacks a permanent secretariat, which affects continuity.

Key Institution

The New Development Bank, headquartered in Shanghai, was established in 2015 to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

How India Can Drive STI Cooperation

Leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

India can showcase models like Aadhaar, UPI, and Digital India as scalable frameworks for digital transformation across BRICS nations.

Promoting Mega-Science Projects

India can propose a BRICS Mega-Science Consortium, drawing from its experience in global projects like LIGO and SKA, to reduce dependence on Western research infrastructure.

Advancing Climate Technology

India can lead a Clean Energy R&D Consortium, building on initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, focusing on green hydrogen, battery storage, and climate-resilient technologies.

Healthcare Innovation

India can leverage its strengths as the “pharmacy of the world” and propose a BRICS Digital Health Grid using platforms like CoWIN and Ayushman Bharat.

AI and Emerging Tech Governance

India can help create common frameworks for AI ethics, data governance, and cybersecurity, enabling BRICS to act as a rule-maker in global tech governance.

Challenges in BRICS STI Cooperation

Asymmetry in R&D Capacity

There is a significant gap in R&D expenditure, with China dominating and other members lagging, leading to imbalanced collaboration.

Geopolitical Tensions

Strategic differences, especially between India and China, create a trust deficit, limiting cooperation in sensitive technologies like AI and semiconductors.

Institutional Weaknesses

The absence of a permanent STI secretariat results in lack of continuity and coordination.

Limited and Fragmented Funding

Although the New Development Bank exists, funding for STI and deep-tech projects remains limited.

Weak Private Sector Participation

BRICS initiatives are largely state-driven, with insufficient involvement from startups, venture capital, and industry.

Reforms Needed

Institutional Strengthening

Establishing a permanent STI Secretariat and a BRICS Technological Alliance can improve coordination and continuity.

Dedicated R&D Funding

Creation of a BRICS STI Innovation Fund is essential to support cross-border research and deep-tech innovation.

Mega-Science Missions

Focus should shift to large-scale joint projects such as satellite systems and public health networks.

Tech Governance Frameworks

Developing common standards for AI, data protection, and intellectual property will enhance cooperation.

Private Sector Integration

Encouraging participation of industry and startups will help translate research into practical and scalable solutions.

Conclusion

BRICS is emerging as an important platform for techno-multipolarity and Global South cooperation. With India’s leadership in 2026, there is a significant opportunity to strengthen STI collaboration, institutional mechanisms, and funding structures.

However, the long-term success of BRICS depends on addressing structural weaknesses, geopolitical tensions, and financial constraints, ensuring that it evolves into a robust and influential global innovation platform.