3 days ago
India committed to building future-ready partnerships with BRICS nations: Chandra Sekhkar Pemmasani
NEW DELHI: India has reiterated its commitment to building enduring, future-ready partnerships with all
BRICS nations
, particularly in the connectivity,
space sustainability
, and digital ecosystem domains, at a multilateral meeting of communication ministers in Brasilia.
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
, minister of state for communications, who is leading the Indian delegation at the 1th BRICS communications ministers' meeting, supported the declaration on "Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, and Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem development".
'We reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to enduring, future-ready partnerships with all BRICS nations. Our cooperation is not episodic; it is structural, strategic, and spiritually anchored in mutual respect,' Pemmasani said.
The BRICS grouping includes 11 nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
This year Brazil, under its presidency, has set four strategic priorities – universal and meaningful connectivity, space sustainability, environmental sustainability, and the digital ecosystem.
'Today, we stand united in consensus to advance collaboration across the digital future's vital pillars: Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, and comprehensive Digital Ecosystem development,' the minister said.
India will host the Communications Ministers Meeting in 2026.
According to Pemmasani, India's digital governance is a combination of 'civilisational wisdom and cutting-edge innovation'. 'Our approach is transformational, not transactional—guided by inclusion, equity, and technological empowerment for all,' he said.
The minister highlighted that the Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund) has fueled BharatNet, one of the world's largest rural connectivity projects, and connected over 2.18 lakh village councils with high-speed optical fiber.
'India developed and deployed indigenous 4G technology at an unprecedented scale. This wasn't merely technology adoption - it was technology mastery. Our 4G networks now serve over 95% of our population, creating the backbone of our digital economy,' Pemmasani said, adding that India has achieved one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally, deploying over 4.7 lakh 5G base stations in just over two years.
Furthermore, the minister said the rising satellite density, especially in the low-Earth orbit (LEO), has brought new risks, including orbital congestion, signal interference, and spectrum monopolisation, which are increasingly becoming geopolitical concerns too.
'BRICS must lead with foresight. We propose structured collaboration to safeguard orbital equity and ensure resilience in space infrastructure. Let space remain a shared frontier—driven by cooperation, not competition,' Pemmasani said.
According to him, the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act showcase India's forward-thinking regulatory approach which prioritises safeguarding user rights and data sovereignty.
'In essence, our vision is simple but profound: to build a digital ecosystem that empowers every citizen, inspires innovation, and delivers equitable progress. India is committed to championing this cause, not only domestically but as a voice for the developing world in global tech governance,' Pemmasani said.
