The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 3, 2025
India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready digital development during the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasília, Brazil. Representing the Government of India, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, delivered a compelling national statement that aligned with the BRICS presidency theme led by Brazil: Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, and the Digital Ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering of BRICS communications leaders, Dr. Chandra Sekhar spotlighted India’s transformative journey in building a digital public infrastructure (DPI) that is globally recognized as a benchmark for inclusive governance and innovation. He credited the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for creating an ecosystem that is both robust and equitable, with flagship initiatives like Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) playing pivotal roles in empowering over 950 million citizens and revolutionizing real-time payments. UPI alone, he noted, accounts for a staggering 46% of global digital transactions.
Dr. Sekhar urged BRICS nations to deepen digital cooperation, especially through the adoption of open, interoperable DPI frameworks that promote financial inclusion, transparency, and innovation while resisting monopolistic control. He emphasized that India’s digital model is not merely transactional — it is a transformational force rooted in equity, access, and trust.
Highlighting India’s proactive policy landscape, the Minister pointed to recent milestones such as the Telecommunications Act, Data Protection Act, and the Sanchar Saathi initiative, which collectively aim to ensure user safety, digital trust, and protection from telecom fraud. India’s vibrant startup ecosystem and expansive digital skilling efforts, he said, further exemplify the country’s commitment to future-ready innovation.
India’s Digital Bharat Nidhi programme, a cornerstone of rural digital empowerment, was also showcased for funding initiatives like BharatNet, which now connects over 218,000 village councils with high-speed optical fiber infrastructure. The Minister proudly announced that India has achieved 95% 4G coverage and over 80% 5G penetration, all while offering the world’s most affordable data rates at just $0.12 per gigabyte.
In the context of space sustainability, Dr. Sekhar stressed that outer space must now be seen as a vital layer of digital infrastructure. He cited India’s regulatory reforms in SATCOM and the expansion into mobile and IoT satellite services as key steps forward. Calling for greater cooperation, he invited BRICS countries to lead the global dialogue on orbital equity, spectrum governance, and space traffic management through collaborative—not competitive — strategies.
On the pressing issue of environmental sustainability, the Minister voiced concern over the projected rise of global e-waste to 82 billion kilograms by 2030. He reaffirmed India’s proactive role, referencing the Green Development Pact from the G20 Summit in New Delhi and the Panchamrit climate commitments. He urged BRICS nations to embrace circular economy principles, adopt green ICT practices, and support initiatives like the ITU’s Green Digital Action.
Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Sekhar welcomed the adoption of the Final Declaration, commending the collaborative spirit among BRICS members and recognizing the enriching impact of the expanded membership. He praised Brazil for its clear leadership and vision, underscoring that BRICS is not merely a dialogue platform but a collective of co-creators building digital equity and resilience.
“India’s model is transformational, rooted in civilizational wisdom and technological innovation. Our approach is not transactional, but inclusive — built on the principles of equity, access, and innovation,” Dr. Sekhar stated.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Sekhar extended an invitation to all BRICS countries to participate in the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting, to be hosted by India in 2026. Quoting the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — he reiterated India’s dedication to the shared vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future, calling it the guiding principle for global digital cooperation.
The BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting forms a vital part of the broader BRICS framework, offering member states a dynamic forum to strategize and synchronize efforts on key areas of digital policy, connectivity, and sustainable development.
