Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Communications on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting in Pune focuses on advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and digital governance through collaborative frameworks and pilot projects. India has proposed the creation of a BRICS DPI Repository and discussed draft Terms of Reference for new expert groups on digital applications and governance. Key upcoming milestones include the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on August 20 and the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting on August 21, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Initiatives
Role and Principles: DPI is recognized as a critical enabler for inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital service delivery, grounded in openness, interoperability, and digital sovereignty.
Indian Proposals: India presented its national DPI approach and introduced a concept note for a BRICS DPI Repository and BRICS Pilot Projects of DPI Solutions.
Frameworks: Discussions included an update on the Focus Group on DPI, whose Terms of Reference were adopted in 2025.
Digital BRICS Task Force and Expert Groups
New Expert Groups: Draft Terms of Reference were discussed for the establishment of a Digital Applications Expert Group and a Digital Governance Expert Group.
Forum Preparation: The Task Force reviewed its current activities and provided an overview of the upcoming Digital BRICS Forum 2026.
Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building
Infrastructure Reports: The Working Group reviewed reports on capacity building for secure telecom infrastructure and submarine cable network cooperation.
Ecosystem Development: Updates were provided on webinars regarding BRICS digital ecosystem cooperation and sustainable development.
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member CountriesImpact
Member nations are transitioning toward a unified approach to digital services through shared DPI principles and collaborative repositories.
Action Required
Member countries must review the draft Terms of Reference for the proposed expert groups and participate in the upcoming Digital BRICS Forum and Expo.
India (Ministry of Communications)Impact
India is leading the dialogue by sharing its national DPI model and proposing specific frameworks for intra-BRICS technical cooperation.
Action Required
India must conclude the Working Group proceedings and facilitate the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for August 21.
BRICS Communications MinistersImpact
The ministers will be presented with the strategic outputs, reports, and draft terms developed by the Working Group and Task Force.
Action Required
Ministers are required to attend the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting to finalize decisions on the initiatives discussed in Pune.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs: The primary multilateral body coordinating the 7th meeting focused on ICT cooperation, digital governance, and infrastructure.
Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A specialized group within the BRICS framework that establishes principles for affordable, secure, and inclusive digital service delivery.
Digital BRICS Task Force: The entity responsible for outlining visions for new expert groups on digital applications and governance and overseeing the Digital BRICS Forum.
12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting: The high-level ministerial forum that provides policy oversight and concludes the BRICS ICT track proceedings.
BRICS Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Repository: A proposed initiative and platform to share member countries' national approaches and technical solutions for digital infrastructure.
Ministry of Communications
7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting
Continues in Pune with Strategic Focus on
Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital
Governance
Digital BRICS Task Force Outlines Vision for Expert Groups
on Digital Applications and Governance
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 7:14PM by PIB Delhi
The Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Digital BRICS Task Force met today at
Pune on the second day of the in-person meetings of the BRICS ICT Track, alongside continuing sessions
of the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs.
The Focus Group on Digital Public Infrastructure, whose Terms of Reference were adopted in 2025,
received an update from the Chair and presentations from India and other member countries on national
approaches to digital public infrastructure. Digital public infrastructure has emerged as a critical enabler
for the affordable, inclusive, reliable, secure, sustainable and citizen-centric delivery of digital services,
and is guided by the principles of openness, interoperability, digital sovereignty and national ownership,
with respect for domestic laws and regulations, cybersecurity, resilience, privacy and trust.India advances the discussion on the Focus Group on DPI and presented the India’s DPI to the BRICS
countries as well as presented the concept note on the BRICS Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Repository and BRICS Pilot Projects of DPI Solutions.
The Working Group received reports on the webinars held during the year, on capacity building for secure,
inclusive and sustainable digital telecom infrastructure, on BRICS submarine cable network cooperation
and development and on BRICS digital ecosystem cooperation.
The Digital BRICS Task Force reviewed its activities and provided an overview of the Digital BRICS
Forum 2026. Draft Terms of Reference for a Digital Applications Expert Group and a Digital Governance
Expert Group were taken up for discussion.The proceedings of Working Group conclude tomorrow, ahead of the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo on
20th August and the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting on 21st August.
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