JUNE 03: India reaffirmed its leadership in inclusive and sustainable digital transformation during the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting held in Brazil. Representing India, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, highlighted India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a global model for accessible, scalable, and secure digital governance.
In his keynote address, Dr. Sekhar showcased initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI as foundational tools that have empowered millions and revolutionized digital payments. With Aadhaar covering over 950 million citizens and UPI now accounting for 46% of global digital transactions, he emphasized that India’s success in digital inclusion stems from open, interoperable platforms backed by strong regulatory frameworks.
Calling for deeper collaboration among BRICS nations, he urged a shared commitment to building resilient digital ecosystems, grounded in financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and trust. He also highlighted India’s Sanchar Saathi programme, which combats telecom fraud, and its new Telecom and Data Protection Acts as pillars of a secure digital environment.
Dr. Sekhar presented India’s Digital Bharat Nidhi as a flagship initiative supporting BharatNet, which now connects over 218,000 village panchayats via optical fiber. He proudly noted that 4G now covers 95% of the population, while over 80% already benefit from 5G services. India’s affordable internet—at just 12 cents per GB—was spotlighted as a key enabler of equity and access.
Addressing space sustainability, Dr. Sekhar advocated for cooperative governance of orbital resources, calling for global consensus on spectrum management and satellite traffic regulation. India’s reforms in satellite communications and IoT licensing were shared as case studies.
On environmental responsibility, he acknowledged the rising challenge of e-waste, referencing India’s commitments under the Green Development Pact and Panchamrit framework. He urged BRICS nations to embrace green digital policies, circular economies, and climate-conscious ICT strategies.
The BRICS nations adopted a Final Declaration promoting cross-border innovation and sustainability. Dr. Sekhar praised the expanded BRICS membership for strengthening dialogue and reaffirmed India’s belief in BRICS as a partnership of equals, committed to shared progress.
He concluded by inviting all BRICS members to the 12th Communications Ministers’ Meeting in India in 2026, reaffirming India’s dedication to a global digital future shaped by equity, collaboration, and sustainability.
