India to Host BRICS ICT Track in Pune

Five-day programme from August 17-21 to focus on resilient digital ecosystems, cybersecurity, skilling and innovation

  • India will host the BRICS ICT Track in Pune from August 17 to 21 under its 2026 BRICS Chairship.
  • The programme will be held under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future”.
  • Three key events include the BRICS ICT Working Group meeting, Digital BRICS Forum and Expo, and Communications Ministers Meeting.
  • BRICS members will discuss digital connectivity, cybersecurity, AI, skilling, startups and resilient ICT ecosystems.

GG News Bureau
Pune, 15th Aug: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will host the BRICS ICT Track in Pune from August 17 to 21 as part of India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026, bringing together Communications Ministers, senior government officials and ICT experts from BRICS member countries.

The five-day programme will be held under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future” and will focus on strengthening international cooperation in information and communication technologies while advancing secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystems.

The ICT Track will feature three major events: the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs from August 17 to 19, the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on August 20, and the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting on August 21.

BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting
The 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting will deliberate on universal, meaningful, affordable and resilient connectivity, trusted and human-centric digital environments, digital skills and capacity development, and innovation and entrepreneurship in ICT.

Discussions will also cover artificial intelligence, next-generation communications, Digital Public Infrastructure, cybersecurity, child online protection and digital ecosystem cooperation.

Digital BRICS Forum and Expo
The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on August 20 will provide a platform for discussions and showcasing cooperation in emerging digital technologies and resilient ICT ecosystems.

The programme will feature thematic discussions on cybersecurity and trustworthy ICTs, including child online protection, as well as sustainable and resilient digital and ICT ecosystems.

Communications Ministers Meeting
The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting will be held on August 21. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia will represent India at the meeting.

Communications Ministers from BRICS member countries are expected to discuss cooperation in sustainable and resilient ICT ecosystems, cybersecurity and trustworthy ICT, digital skilling and capacity building, and innovation, startups and entrepreneurship.

The Department of Telecommunications said the hosting of the ICT Track in Pune reflects India’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in ICT, promoting digital innovation and advancing technology-led, sustainable and inclusive growth.