BRICS Scientific Collaboration And STI Cooperation

Significance of BRICS in Global STI

• BRICS represents a major share of global GDP, population, natural resources, and scientific capacity
• It aims to promote a multipolar global order and provide an alternative to Western dominance
• Plays a role in global economic governance and development finance through institutions like the New Development Bank
• Increasingly relevant in a context of sanctions, export controls, and strategic competition in science and technology

Expansion and BRICS+ Framework

• Expansion into BRICS+ reflects a move towards a more inclusive Global South platform
• New members include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran
• Aims to reduce technological dependencies and strengthen development cooperation
• Participation from new members remains uneven in collaborative initiatives

Evolution of STI Cooperation

• STI cooperation formally recognised in 2011 and strengthened through a 2015 MoU
• Established as a core strategic pillar for collaboration and capacity-building
• Implementation through institutional frameworks and coordinated programmes
• Lead agencies in member countries coordinate proposals and projects

Institutional Mechanisms and Initiatives

• BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017–2020) guided initial programmes
• Focus areas include entrepreneurship, youth and women participation, technology transfer, and incubation
• Creation of initiatives such as:
  • BRICS Technology Transfer Centre (TTC) for cross-border technology commercialisation
  • iBRICS for innovation ecosystems
• Ministers of STI meet annually to approve strategies and programmes

Shift in Research Priorities

• Transition from basic science to innovation and technology transfer
• Increasing focus on socially relevant sectors such as energy, water, health, and environment
• COVID-19 accelerated emphasis on public health, vaccines, biosecurity, and digital health
• Integration of emerging areas such as AI, high-performance computing, advanced materials, ICT, and space applications

Progress Across Sectors

• Strong progress in ICT and high-performance computing, including the BRICS Institute of Future Networks
• Advancements in space cooperation through a 2021 intergovernmental agreement
• Slower progress in mega-science projects, ocean, and polar research due to higher infrastructure requirements

AI and Emerging Strategic Focus

• 2025 Declaration on AI elevated artificial intelligence to a central pillar of cooperation
• Focus on equitable, inclusive, and development-oriented AI governance
• New action plans aim to scale impact in biotechnology, climate technology, industrial innovation, and AI

India’s Role and Presidency (2026)

• Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
• Focus on addressing digital divide, public health, and climate resilience
• Lead agencies include CSIR and Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Opportunity to deepen partnerships and strengthen collaboration mechanisms

Challenges and Limitations

• Lower gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) compared to advanced economies, except China
• Significant gap in innovation capacity compared to countries like South Korea
• Heterogeneity among members makes coordination difficult
• Limited funding and fewer programme options compared to models like the EU
• Absence of regular research and data-driven assessment mechanisms

Institutional Gaps

• Lack of a permanent institutional mechanism for STI cooperation
• Current system relies on rotating leadership, limiting long-term continuity
• Existing framework insufficient for large-scale and long-term collaboration

Way Forward

• Establish a centralised mechanism or Secretariat for managing STI cooperation
• Develop long-term mega-science projects for deeper collaboration
• Expand scope to include governance of STI and impact of emerging technologies
• Strengthen coordination, funding, and institutional capacity
• Improve coherence in global negotiations and policy frameworks