In a landmark effort to foster global digital collaboration, India hosted a virtual capacity-building session for BRICS nations on digital transformation, reinforcing its role as a frontrunner in the realm of inclusive digital development. Held on May 26, 2025, the event was organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through its premier training institution, the National Communications Academy - Technology (NCA - T), Ghaziabad.

The session, which was convened under the BRICS ICT Working Group, aimed to bring together top digital strategists and policymakers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to exchange knowledge, identify scalable solutions, and strengthen strategic alliances in the digital sector. The initiative aligns with the BRICS countries’ ongoing vision to build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital societies.

The conference was formally inaugurated by Mr. Daniel Cavalcanti, the current BRICS Chair, along with Mr. Atul Sinha, the Director General of NCA-T, India. In his opening address, Mr. Cavalcanti emphasized the importance of mutual learning and shared innovation to drive equitable digital growth across BRICS nations.

The session was divided into four thematic discussions, each focused on critical aspects of the digital ecosystem. Topics ranged from cyber resilience and digital public infrastructure (DPI) to AI-native planning systems and consumer protection mechanisms.

India Showcases Flagship Initiatives

India took center stage by showcasing several of its cutting-edge digital initiatives that have significantly contributed to the country’s robust digital ecosystem. One of the primary highlights was the Sanchar Saathi initiative, a consumer-focused platform designed to:

• Prevent mobile fraud,

• Improve SIM card registration integrity,

• Enhance transparency, and

• Ensure equitable access to mobile services.

Sanchar Saathi has been instrumental in protecting mobile users from identity theft, unwanted SIM misuse, and enhancing mobile security protocols nationwide.

Another standout presentation was India's AADHAAR initiative, presented as a cornerstone of India’s digital public infrastructure. Officials highlighted how AADHAAR has revolutionized public service delivery by:

• Providing a unique digital identity to over a billion citizens,

• Enabling seamless authentication across services, and

• Driving digital financial inclusion and access to government benefits.

AADHAAR was positioned as a model that other BRICS countries could adapt to their national contexts, particularly for unbanked populations and remote service delivery.

India also introduced its Sangam Digital Twin initiative, a forward-looking, AI-native federated platform designed to enable:

• Scenario-based infrastructure planning,

• Real-time monitoring, and

• Smart governance applications in urban and rural landscapes.

Built on artificial intelligence and big data, the Sangam platform provides a simulated, real-time digital representation of infrastructure assets, allowing policymakers to make data-informed decisions regarding planning, disaster resilience, and public utility management.

Collaborative Presentations and Cyber Resilience

India and Brazil jointly led discussions on their respective approaches to national cybersecurity and digital resilience. Both nations shared key frameworks, institutional protocols, and policy-level strategies to combat evolving cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks, digital espionage, and cross-border cybercrime.

The deliberations underscored the need for:

• Regional cyber threat intelligence sharing,

• Collaborative cybersecurity drills,

• Standardizing digital forensic practices, and

• Public-private partnerships to safeguard national digital assets.

These exchanges aim to enable BRICS nations to form a collective cybersecurity shield while maintaining national sovereignty and autonomy.

BRICS Commits to Digital Unity

The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Avinash Agarwal, Deputy Director General of the International Relations Division, DoT, and Mr. Daniel Cavalcanti, BRICS Chair. Both reiterated the shared vision of BRICS nations toward achieving:

• Mutual digital empowerment,

• Interoperable infrastructure development, and

• Knowledge-driven policymaking.

They praised the virtual session for providing a robust knowledge exchange platform, showcasing national success stories, and laying the foundation for joint digital ventures and cross-border technical collaborations.

Strategic Outcomes and Future Roadmap

The discussions concluded with several actionable outcomes that will serve as building blocks for long-term cooperation among BRICS countries:

• Establishment of a Digital Transformation Task Force under the BRICS ICT Working Group.

• Agreement to document and circulate digital best practices from each member country.

• Proposals for BRICS-led pilot projects using federated platforms, such as digital twins and AI-based analytics.

• Commitment to organizing quarterly thematic workshops on pressing digital issues, including data protection, digital finance, and emerging technologies like quantum computing and 6G.

India proposed the creation of a common digital cooperation portal, aimed at:

• Real-time knowledge exchange,

• Shared repositories for regulatory and governance frameworks, and

• Tracking milestones of digital projects implemented under the BRICS umbrella.

The idea was warmly received by all participating nations, signaling a renewed vigor for collaborative and inclusive digital governance.

Conclusion

India’s leadership in hosting the BRICS capacity-building session reaffirms its technological prowess and diplomatic commitment to building a cohesive digital future with global partners. Through programs like AADHAAR, Sanchar Saathi, and Sangam, India demonstrated its capability to scale digital innovation across vast and diverse populations.

The session not only marked an important diplomatic engagement but also catalyzed a strategic shift toward unified digital development. As BRICS nations continue to evolve digitally, India’s inclusive, citizen-centric, and technology-driven models offer a strong blueprint for success.

The outcomes of this session are expected to fuel future innovations, deepen intergovernmental ties, and support the collective aspiration of BRICS to lead the world in building equitable, secure, and accessible digital societies.

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