12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting 2026
India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune on 21 August 2026 under its BRICS Chairship. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and brought together communications ministers and representatives of the 11 BRICS member countries.
India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
BRICS ICT Track
The 2026 BRICS ICT Track focused on digital cooperation among member countries under the theme:
“Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.”
The track addressed emerging technologies, digital connectivity, cybersecurity, future communication networks and capacity building.
The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, organised the five-day BRICS ICT Track from 17–21 August 2026 in Pune.
Key Activities
The programme included:
- 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs
- Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on 20 August 2026
- 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting on 21 August 2026
These meetings provided platforms for policy coordination and cooperation in digital technologies and communications.
Digital Public Infrastructure
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to foundational digital systems that enable public and private services at population scale.
Major DPI components can include:
- Digital identity
- Digital payments
- Data-exchange platforms
The BRICS ICT discussions highlighted the importance of digital public infrastructure in improving service delivery and promoting inclusive digital development.
Emerging Technologies and Digital Governance
The ministerial discussions covered several emerging areas, including:
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
- Future communication networks.
- Cybersecurity.
- Digital capacity building.
- Global digital governance.
International cooperation in these areas is increasingly important as countries expand digital infrastructure and adopt new technologies.
Exam Oriented Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting | 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting |
| Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Venue | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Chair | Jyotiraditya M. Scindia |
| Host Country | India |
| BRICS Chairship | India, 2026 |
| BRICS Members | 11 |
| ICT Track Dates | 17–21 August 2026 |
| ICT Track Theme | Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future |
| India’s BRICS Theme | Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability |
| Key Ministry | Ministry of Communications |
| Organising Department | Department of Telecommunications |
- The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting was held in Pune on 21 August 2026.
- Jyotiraditya M. Scindia chaired the meeting.
- The Department of Telecommunications organised the BRICS ICT Track.
- The 7th BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs met during the ICT Track.
- The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo was held in Pune on 20 August 2026.
- DPI refers to foundational digital systems supporting identity, payments and data exchange.
- Key ICT cooperation areas included cybersecurity, future networks, emerging technologies and digital governance.
- BRICS currently has 11 member countries.
