--- title: "India pushes stronger global tech ties at BRICS STI meeting" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/india-brics-sti-meeting-tech-collaboration-lvfyu publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Science & Technology published: 2026-08-21T17:02:31.710Z modified: 2026-08-21T18:30:05.276Z language: en-IN --- # India pushes stronger global tech ties at BRICS STI meeting At the 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting in Chennai on August 21, 2026, India urged enhanced international cooperation to keep emerging technologies accessible, affordable, trusted and sustainable. The discussions centered on expanding BRICS science collaboration and aligning priorities with fronti ## Key takeaways - The 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting took place in Chennai on August 21, 2026, with India leading discussions on stronger global tech collaboration. - India emphasized keeping emerging technologies accessible, affordable, trusted and sustainable, citing AI, quantum tech and other frontier areas. - India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency centers on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability and includes a review of STI priorities. - Domestic programs cited illustrate a policy path toward translating innovation into tangible social and economic benefits. - Next steps include identifying practical pathways for deeper BRICS collaboration across research, funding, mobility and shared infrastructure. ## What Happened On August 21, 2026, the 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting began in Chennai, with India calling for stronger international cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh delivered the inaugural address, outlining a focus on ensuring that emerging technologies remain accessible, affordable, trusted and sustainable. He highlighted technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, photonics, geospatial technologies and high-performance computing as central to current transformations. India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026 has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Singh described BRICS as well placed to foster a cooperative, responsible and future-oriented innovation ecosystem and noted that BRICS STI cooperation spans research collaboration, innovation partnerships, exchanges for young scientists, research infrastructure and thematic working groups. A comprehensive review of BRICS STI priorities is underway to better align cooperation with emerging scientific frontiers and developmental needs of societies. The minister cited several domestic initiatives—National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, BioE3 Policy, National Geospatial Policy and the expanding Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem—as examples of how innovation can translate into tangible life improvements and sustainable economic transformation. He urged BRICS partners to identify ambitious yet practical pathways for deeper collaboration in frontier research, innovation financing, talent mobility, shared research infrastructure, startup partnerships and capacity building. ## Why It Matters The address signals a push for a more integrated, globally engaged BRICS STI framework that prioritizes resilience and inclusive growth. By tying international cooperation to human-centric innovation and domestically funded programs, India aims to shape a BRICS STI architecture responsive to global challenges and the Global South’s developmental aspirations. Such alignment could influence cross-border research funding, mobility, and infrastructure sharing across BRICS nations. ## Background BRICS STI cooperation has evolved to cover research collaboration, innovation partnerships, young scientist exchanges, research infrastructure and thematic working groups. India’s presidency in 2026 includes a review of STI priorities to align with frontier technologies and societal needs, as articulated by Singh and echoed in press material released for the meeting. ## Key Facts - Date and place: August 21, 2026, in Chennai (BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting). - SPEAKER: Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology. - Theme of India’s BRICS Presidency 2026: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. - Emerging technologies highlighted: artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, photonics, geospatial technologies, high-performance computing. - BRICS STI platform includes: research collaboration, innovation partnerships, young scientist exchanges, research infrastructure and thematic working groups. - Domestic initiatives cited: National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, BioE3 Policy, National Geospatial Policy, expanding Digital Public Infrastructure. - Upcoming action: identify practical pathways for deeper BRICS collaboration in frontier research, financing, mobility, infrastructure sharing, startups and capacity building. ## What Happens Next India’s presidency will conduct a comprehensive review of BRICS STI priorities to align cooperation with frontier technologies and developmental needs, with the aim of delivering a more integrated BRICS STI framework that serves the Global South’s aspirations. Concrete outcomes are anticipated from ongoing discussions among STI steering committees, senior officials and working groups in the lead-up to future BRICS meetings. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/india-brics-sti-meeting-tech-collaboration-lvfyu Reported from: Multiple Sources