BRICS and the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Architecture

Context

The BRICS bloc—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—originally formed to advance a multipolar global order, has progressively widened its mandate. It now places significant emphasis on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as a crucial domain of strategic collaboration.

How is the global STI environment transforming?

Geopolitical influence on science –
Global research ecosystems are increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalries, trade restrictions, and technology embargoes.

Emerging relevance of BRICS –
In this backdrop, BRICS serves as:

  • A platform for aligning national innovation policies
  • A mechanism to reduce reliance on Western technological systems
  • A support structure via institutions like the New Development Bank

Expansion towards BRICS+ –
The inclusion of countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and Indonesia reflects a shift towards a broader, development-centric scientific coalition.

Evolution of institutional mechanisms

Phased development of cooperation –

  • 2011 – Initial acknowledgement of STI collaboration
  • 2015 – Formal MoU recognising STI as a core cooperation pillar

Creation of operational frameworks –
Institutional structures have been set up to promote joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.

Role of STIEP and national agencies –
The BRICS STI and Entrepreneurship Partnership (STIEP) drives implementation.
In India, bodies like CSIR and DBT coordinate participation.

Major domains of cooperation

Technology diffusion and innovation networks –

  • Establishment of Technology Transfer Centres
  • Promotion of cross-border innovation commercialisation
  • Initiatives like iBRICS to strengthen startup ecosystems

Development-oriented research focus –
Shift towards applied research addressing:

  • Energy sustainability
  • Water resource management
  • Healthcare systems
  • Environmental protection

Pandemic-driven collaboration –
COVID-19 accelerated joint work in:

  • Vaccine research
  • Biosecurity frameworks
  • Digital health infrastructure

Focus on advanced technologies

Emerging technology partnerships –
Collaboration is expanding into:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • High-performance computing
  • Advanced materials science
  • ICT and digital infrastructure
  • Space science (boosted by 2021 agreement)

AI governance shift –
The 2025 AI Declaration highlights inclusive, equitable, and ethical AI governance as a central priority.

Key achievements so far

  • Establishment of institutions like the BRICS Institute of Future Networks
  • Strengthened cooperation in ICT and supercomputing
  • Growth in joint research initiatives and thematic networks
  • Transition towards innovation-led development models

Persistent challenges

Disparity in R&D capabilities –

  • GERD levels remain low across most members (except China)
  • Significant gap with global innovation leaders

Diversity within the grouping –

  • Wide variation in economic and scientific capacities
  • Difficulty in aligning priorities among BRICS+ members

Resource and scale constraints –

  • Limited research funding
  • Weak commercialisation of innovations

Institutional limitations –

  • Absence of a permanent secretariat
  • Rotational leadership affects continuity

Slow progress in large-scale projects –

  • Mega-science initiatives
  • Ocean and polar research
  • Infrastructure-heavy collaborations

Knowledge gaps –

  • Limited academic research on BRICS STI
  • Lack of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Relevance for India

As a major member and upcoming BRICS+ Chair (2026), India can:

  • Enhance its role in global science diplomacy
  • Strengthen South-South technological cooperation
  • Boost domestic innovation ecosystems
  • Address challenges like climate resilience, healthcare gaps, and digital inequality

Strategic way forward

Institutional strengthening –

  • Establish a permanent BRICS STI Secretariat
  • Draw inspiration from models like the EU Horizon Programme

Promote large-scale collaborations –

  • Climate research
  • Space exploration
  • Biotechnology innovation

Enhance innovation ecosystems –

  • Increase R&D investment
  • Build capacity in newer BRICS+ members
  • Encourage public-private partnerships

Targeted bilateral linkages –

  • Foster collaboration between countries with complementary strengths

Expand to governance frameworks –

  • Focus on ethical, regulatory, and societal aspects of emerging technologies

Boost financial mechanisms –

  • Increase pooled funding
  • Support large-scale innovation commercialisation

Future outlook

BRICS STI cooperation has evolved from a conceptual framework to a more structured and application-oriented model since 2015.

However, issues of funding, institutional depth, and coordination continue to limit its full potential.

In an increasingly fragmented global scientific order, BRICS can emerge as a viable alternative platform for inclusive innovation.

India, as the 2026 Chair, holds a unique opportunity to drive reforms that enhance efficiency, inclusivity, and global relevance of BRICS in shaping the future STI landscape.

Source : The Hindu

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