Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered the inaugural address at the 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial Meeting in Chennai on August 21, 2026. The meeting marked India's presidency of BRICS for 2026, with the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" reflecting the shared conviction that science, technology and innovation must serve humanity by enhancing resilience, driving inclusive growth, promoting sustainable development and fostering equitable partnerships among nations.
Dr. Singh emphasized that the world is undergoing rapid transformation driven by emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, photonics, geospatial technologies and high-performance computing. He noted that while these technologies create unprecedented opportunities for progress, they require stronger international collaboration to ensure innovation remains accessible, affordable, trusted and sustainable. The minister stated that BRICS, with its vast population, scientific talent and growing research capabilities, is well positioned to foster a cooperative, responsible and future-oriented innovation ecosystem.
India showcased several national initiatives including the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, BioE3 Policy, National Geospatial Policy and the expanding Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem, which reflect an approach where innovation ultimately improves people's lives, strengthens societal resilience and supports sustainable economic transformation. Dr. Singh invited BRICS partners to identify pathways for deeper collaboration in frontier research, innovation financing, talent mobility, research infrastructure sharing, startup partnerships and capacity building, aiming to create a future-ready BRICS STI architecture responsive to global challenges and supportive of Global South aspirations.