12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting Held in Pune

Key facts

• The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting was held in Pune, India, on August 20, 2026.
• The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo, institutionalised at the 7th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting hosted by India in 2021, was held in Pune.
• Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia welcomed delegations and highlighted BRICS ICT initiatives including the Digital Public Infrastructure Focus Group and the Institute of Future Networks.
• Two thematic panel discussions were held: one on Cybersecurity and Trustworthy ICTs including Child Online Protection, and another on Sustainable and Resilient Digital and ICT Ecosystems.
• Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, outlined three pillars for securing the digital landscape: safe-by-design digital public infrastructure, legal obligations for digital content and data, and empowerment of individuals.
• BRICS Communications Ministers participated in a Ministerial Fireside Chat on the theme 'Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future' under India's Chairship.
• The Digital BRICS Forum Expo showcased innovations from Indian and BRICS startups, industry, and academic institutions.