Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday, 21 August called for stronger international cooperation to keep emerging technologies accessible, affordable, trusted and sustainable, speaking at the 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi. The minister urged BRICS partners to move beyond dialogue and pursue concrete pathways for collaboration across frontier research, innovation financing, and talent mobility.

Key Developments at the Ministerial Meeting

Dr. Singh outlined a broad agenda for BRICS cooperation, pressing member nations to deepen engagement in research infrastructure sharing, startup partnerships, and capacity building. He argued that such cooperation can help build a future-ready BRICS STI architecture capable of responding to global challenges while supporting the aspirations of the Global South.

Welcoming delegations from BRICS member countries, Dr. Singh announced that India has chosen 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' as the theme of its BRICS Presidency in 2026 — a framing that positions science and technology as central to inclusive growth and equitable partnerships.

India's STI Priorities Under the Spotlight

The minister highlighted the rapid global transformation driven by technologies including Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, photonics, geospatial technologies, and high-performance computing. He said India remains committed to an open, inclusive, and human-centric approach to science and innovation.

Dr. Singh pointed to several flagship national programmes as evidence of this commitment: the National Quantum Mission, the National Supercomputing Mission, the BioE3 Policy, the National Geospatial Policy, and the expanding Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem. These initiatives, he said, reflect an approach where innovation directly improves people's lives and supports sustainable economic transformation.

BRICS STI Architecture: Evolution and Ambitions

Dr. Singh acknowledged the role of the STI Steering Committee, senior officials, and various STI Working Groups in sustaining dialogue and translating it into tangible outcomes. He noted that BRICS STI cooperation has matured into a robust platform encompassing research collaboration, innovation partnerships, young scientist exchanges, shared research infrastructures, and thematic working groups.

During India's presidency, a comprehensive review of BRICS STI priorities was undertaken to align cooperation with emerging scientific frontiers and the developmental aspirations of member societies. This comes amid growing global competition over technology standards and supply chains, making multilateral STI frameworks increasingly strategic.

What This Means for the Global South

Notably, Dr. Singh's remarks placed significant emphasis on the Global South — a deliberate signal that India views BRICS STI cooperation not merely as a scientific exercise but as a geopolitical instrument for equitable development. BRICS nations collectively represent a vast population base, significant scientific talent, and rapidly growing research capabilities, positioning the bloc to shape the next generation of technology governance norms.

With India holding the BRICS Presidency in 2026, the outcomes of this ministerial meeting are expected to feed into broader BRICS summitry later in the year, setting the STI agenda for the bloc's next phase.