India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune on August 21, 2026, bringing together Communications Ministers and senior representatives from BRICS member countries to discuss cooperation in information and communication technologies, digital transformation, emerging technologies and resilient digital infrastructure. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia as part of India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026.
The meeting was held under India’s overarching BRICS Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with the ICT Track guided by the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” The themes reflect India’s emphasis on creating digital ecosystems that are secure, inclusive, sustainable and capable of responding to emerging technological and geopolitical challenges.
A key focus of the ministerial discussions was the need to strengthen cooperation in digital public infrastructure, future networks, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and inclusive digital connectivity. BRICS countries also discussed sharing best practices, developing capacity and pursuing practical initiatives that can accelerate digital transformation across member states and the wider Global South.
The ministerial meeting formed the concluding part of a wider BRICS ICT Track programme in Pune from August 17 to 21. The programme included the 7th BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs and the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo. The working group examined areas including secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, BRICS cooperation on submarine cable networks and digital ecosystems, while the Digital BRICS Task Force discussed proposals for greater cooperation in digital applications and digital governance.
The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo, held on August 20, brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, startups and research institutions. Discussions at the forum focused on trustworthy ICTs and cybersecurity, including child online protection, as well as sustainable and resilient digital ecosystems. The expo also provided a platform to showcase digital technologies and solutions relevant to the BRICS ecosystem.
An important development on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Brazil on telecommunications and ICT cooperation. The agreement was signed by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Brazil’s Communications Minister Frederico de Siqueira Filho. It aims to deepen cooperation in digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, universal connectivity, cybersecurity and digital public infrastructure, while encouraging knowledge exchange, capacity building, research and innovation.
The India-Brazil agreement adds a bilateral dimension to the broader BRICS digital agenda. It seeks to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices and strengthen collaboration in international telecommunications and technology forums, with both countries highlighting the importance of building a secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem.
The meeting also builds on the work undertaken during the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting held under Brazil’s BRICS Chairship in 2025. That meeting had reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among BRICS countries in ICTs, digital public infrastructure and global digital governance. India’s 2026 Chairship has sought to carry these discussions forward by placing greater emphasis on implementation, innovation and capacity building.
For India, hosting the communications ministers in Pune represents an important part of its 2026 BRICS Chairship. The ICT Track has brought digital cooperation to the centre of discussions among the expanded BRICS grouping, which now includes 11 member countries. With digital technologies increasingly influencing economies, public services, security and everyday life, cooperation in this sector has become an important component of the wider BRICS agenda.
The Pune meeting therefore goes beyond discussions on telecommunications. It reflects a broader effort by BRICS countries to shape a digital future that is resilient, secure, inclusive and accessible, while strengthening the technological capabilities of developing economies. As emerging technologies continue to transform societies and economies, the cooperation discussed in Pune could provide a foundation for greater digital collaboration across BRICS and the wider Global South.