On scientific collaborations in BRICS

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 2-International Relations

Introduction

BRICS is a major global grouping with strong share in global GDP, population, natural resources, and scientific capacity. It promotes a multipolar system and reduces dependence on Western dominance. In a time of geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and techno-nationalism, cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI) has become important, though it remains less visible than economic cooperation within BRICS.

Evolution of STI Cooperation in BRICS

1. Formal recognition and institutional base: STI cooperation became formal in 2011 and was strengthened by the 2015 memorandum, which made it a core pillar with a clear institutional framework.
2. Framework Programme and funding mechanism: The 2016 BRICS STI Framework Programme created a system for multilateral R&D projects, requiring at least three member countries and involving national funding agencies.
3. Action Plan and working group structure: The 2017–2020 Action Plan assigned implementation to the Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership (STIEP) Working Group, focusing on structured collaboration and programme execution.
4. Shift towards innovation and technology transfer: Early focus on basic science shifted to innovation, entrepreneurship, business incubators, and technology transfer, including youth and women participation.
5. Ministerial coordination and national agencies: Annual STI Minister meetings approve plans, while agencies like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)coordinate project calls and implementation at the national level.
6. Technology platforms and limited commercialisation: Initiatives like iBRICS and TTC created policy links for technology transfer, but large-scale commercialisation remains limited.

Emerging Areas and Sectoral Focus of STI Cooperation

1. Transition to development-oriented sectors: Focus moved to energy, water, health, and environment, reflecting shared development challenges of member countries.
2. COVID-19 driven priority shift: The pandemic increased focus on public health, vaccines, biosecurity, and digital health, making STI cooperation more urgent and practical.
3. Inclusion of advanced and frontier technologies: Recent calls include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), High-Performance Computing (HPC), advanced materials, and space technologies, showing a shift to high-end scientific collaboration.
4. Sectoral progress remains uneven: Strong progress is seen in ICT, HPC, and space cooperation, but mega-science projects and ocean or polar research are slow due to high infrastructure needs.
5. Growing importance of AI governance: The 2025 AI Declaration made AI a central pillar, promoting inclusive and development-oriented governance frameworks.

BRICS+ Expansion and Strategic Shift

1. Expansion into BRICS+ platform: BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), expanded in 2022 to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, making it a broader Global South platform.
2. Goal of reducing technological dependence: Expansion aims to build shared capacities and reduce dependence on external technologies, especially for developing economies.
3. Shift from networking to impact-driven projects: New action plans focus on biotechnology, climate tech, industrial innovation, and AI, aiming for larger and scalable outcomes.
4. India’s 2026 Presidency priorities: The theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” focuses on digital divide, public health, and climate resilience.
5. Uneven participation of new members: Participation is limited, as only Egypt and Iran joined recent project calls, showing integration challenges within BRICS+.
6. New institutional initiatives: The China-BRICS Research Centre supports academic exchange and technological research, strengthening collaboration platforms.

Key Challenges and Structural Limitations

1. Low research investment across members: Except China, BRICS countries have low GERD, creating a wide gap with advanced systems like South Korea.
2. Weak National Innovation Systems: Many members have weaker innovation indicators, requiring improvement and long-term strengthening.
3. Heterogeneity of members: Differences in economic development and scientific capacity create coordination problems and conflicting interests.
4. Limited funding and programme scale: Funding is modest and competitive, which restricts the scale and effectiveness of collaborative projects.
5. Lack of research and data framework: There is no regular mechanism to study STI cooperation, limiting data-based policy decisions.
6. Rotational and weak institutional structure: The system depends on annual rotating leadership, which is not suitable for long-term planning and continuity.

Way forward

1. Establishing a permanent central mechanism: A BRICS Secretariat, similar to the EU model, can manage funds, monitor progress, and ensure long-term coordination.
2. Launching mega-science projects: Long-term large-scale projects can strengthen collaboration and build deeper scientific capacity among members.
3. Strengthening innovation systems of members: Focus should be on improving research capacity and innovation indicators, especially in weaker countries.
4. Expanding focus to STI governance: Cooperation should include governance of emerging technologies, ensuring better global negotiation capacity.
5. Encouraging targeted partnerships: Developing “paired links” between members can reduce coordination issues and improve outcomes.

Conclusion

STI cooperation in BRICS has grown since 2015, shifting towards innovation and development-focused collaboration. However, low funding, weak institutions, and uneven participation limit its impact. Strengthening governance, creating permanent structures, and scaling projects are necessary. India’s 2026 leadership offers a key opportunity to improve effectiveness and global credibility of BRICS scientific cooperation.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the evolution, scope, and challenges of scientific collaborations within BRICS, and examine the need for strengthening its institutional and innovation framework.

Source: The Hindu