The BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council got underway in Gandhinagar on 19 August 2026, with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi delivering the inaugural address and urging delegates from across the world to see young people not merely as the future, but as the 'strong present' and greatest strength of their nations.

Key Developments at the Inaugural Ceremony

Sanghavi, who served as chief guest, highlighted that BRICS nations collectively represent 49.5 per cent of the global population and approximately 40 per cent of global GDP. He noted that more than half of the combined BRICS population is under the age of 35, underscoring the bloc's demographic dividend.

The event also saw the launch of the 'Friends of MY Bharat' portal and the release of the 'Digital Compendium of Volunteering Practices'. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse also addressed the gathering, encouraging participating youth delegates.

Gujarat's Development Narrative: Charkha to Space Tech

Sanghavi traced Gujarat's transformation in sweeping terms, describing an 'unprecedented journey from the spinning wheel to GIFT City and from semiconductors to space technology.' He positioned the state as central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of converting youth potential into national strength, while stressing that technological advancement had not come at the cost of the state's cultural heritage.

Notably, he cited the example of swimmer Aarush Vanzara — who reportedly set a national record despite being unable to hear the starting buzzer — to illustrate resilience. 'Difficulties should not become your identity; overcoming them and moving forward is true success,' Sanghavi told delegates.

₹1,000 Crore Innovation Fund for Young Entrepreneurs

A significant policy highlight was Sanghavi's reference to the Gujarat STI Policy 2026–31, under which an innovation fund of ₹1,000 crore has been allocated specifically for young entrepreneurs. The fund, he said, would be accessible to entrepreneurs from both India and abroad, positioning Gujarat as a destination for global youth-led innovation.

Gujarat's renewable energy capacity has also crossed 33.39 GW, according to Sanghavi, reflecting the state government's stated commitment to sustainable development. He linked this to the summit's timing, with World Humanitarian Day falling on Wednesday and Akshay Urja Day on Thursday. 'Development should not come at the expense of the environment of future generations,' he said.

Statue of Unity Visit and India's BRICS Chairship

Youth delegates from 11 countries are scheduled to visit the Statue of Unity at Kevadia as part of the summit programme. Sanghavi said the visit would offer delegates a window into Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in integrating 562 princely states within 18 months to forge a united India.

India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026, with youth engagement forming a key pillar of its broader agenda. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been running dedicated BRICS youth programmes centred on entrepreneurship, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Senior officials including Acting Chief Secretary Dr Anju Sharma, Additional Secretary Nitesh Kumar Mishra, and MP Hemang Joshi were also present at the ceremony.

With delegates from across BRICS nations in attendance, the summit is expected to produce joint declarations on youth-led sustainable development before it concludes.