India's BRICS Agenda Puts Innovation and Digital Cooperation Front and Centre
India's BRICS Chairship prioritises innovation, digital public infrastructure, and women's entrepreneurship ahead of the New Delhi Summit.
As India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, its Chairship agenda has placed a strong emphasis on innovation, digital cooperation, and inclusive technology. The summit's theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," is anchored in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Humanity First."
This will be the fourth time India has hosted the BRICS leaders' meeting, having previously done so in 2012, 2016, and 2021. In the run-up to the summit, India has highlighted its digital public infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem—including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—as a model for affordable and scalable digital solutions.
A series of ministerial and working-group meetings have been held throughout the year to advance these priorities. The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting, hosted by India in August, focused on artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, digital governance, and resilient communication networks.
India has also proposed initiatives to deepen cooperation among member states, such as the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and the BRICS Startup Innovation Network, which aim to create greater opportunities for startups and investors. Another proposal, the BRICS Science and Research Repository, is designed to facilitate the sharing of research capabilities and strengthen scientific collaboration.
Women's participation in technology and entrepreneurship has received particular attention. The BRICS Women Working Group is developing policy cooperation on digital inclusion, while the BRICS Women's Startup Contest, run through the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, supports women-led ventures in sustainability and technology. The Women in Innovation, Science and Entrepreneurship (WISE) initiative focuses on innovation, access to funding, and policy advocacy to address gender gaps in STEM fields.
The upcoming summit is expected to provide a platform for leaders to discuss a common approach to innovation in the AI era, digital cooperation, and inclusive growth. Against a backdrop of rapid technological change, member countries are likely to explore ways to leverage technology for building resilient and sustainable economies. Through its Chairship, India is positioning BRICS as a forum for practical partnerships in emerging technologies and inclusive innovation.