{"id":358423,"date":"2026-03-18T20:51:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T15:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=358423"},"modified":"2026-03-19T21:01:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T15:31:43","slug":"on-scientific-collaborations-in-brics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/on-scientific-collaborations-in-brics\/","title":{"rendered":"On scientific collaborations in BRICS"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 2-<\/strong>International Relations<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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)<\/strong> has become important, though it remains less visible than economic cooperation within BRICS. On scientific collaborations in BRICS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"On<\/p>\n

Evolution of STI Cooperation in BRICS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Formal recognition and institutional base:<\/strong> STI cooperation became formal in 2011<\/strong> and was strengthened by the 2015 memorandum<\/strong>, which made it a core pillar with a clear institutional framework.<\/li>\n
  2. Framework Programme and funding mechanism:<\/strong> The 2016 BRICS STI Framework Programme<\/strong> created a system for multilateral R&D projects, requiring at least three member countries and involving national funding agencies.<\/li>\n
  3. Action Plan and working group structure:<\/strong> The 2017\u20132020 Action Plan<\/strong> assigned implementation to the Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership (STIEP)<\/strong> Working Group, focusing on structured collaboration and programme execution.<\/li>\n
  4. Shift towards innovation and technology transfer:<\/strong> Early focus on basic science shifted to innovation, entrepreneurship, business incubators, and technology transfer<\/strong>, including youth and women participation.<\/li>\n
  5. Ministerial coordination and national agencies:<\/strong> Annual STI Minister meetings approve plans, while agencies like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)<\/strong> and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)<\/strong>coordinate project calls and implementation at the national level.<\/li>\n
  6. Technology platforms and limited commercialisation:<\/strong> Initiatives like iBRICS and TTC<\/strong> created policy links for technology transfer, but large-scale commercialisation remains limited<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Emerging Areas and Sectoral Focus of STI Cooperation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Transition to development-oriented sectors:<\/strong> Focus moved to energy, water, health, and environment<\/strong>, reflecting shared development challenges of member countries.<\/li>\n
    2. COVID-19 driven priority shift:<\/strong> The pandemic increased focus on public health, vaccines, biosecurity, and digital health<\/strong>, making STI cooperation more urgent and practical.<\/li>\n
    3. Inclusion of advanced and frontier technologies:<\/strong> Recent calls include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), High-Performance Computing (HPC), advanced materials, and space technologies<\/strong>, showing a shift to high-end scientific collaboration.<\/li>\n
    4. Sectoral progress remains uneven:<\/strong> Strong progress is seen in ICT, HPC, and space cooperation<\/strong>, but mega-science projects and ocean or polar research are slow<\/strong> due to high infrastructure needs.<\/li>\n
    5. Growing importance of AI governance:<\/strong> The 2025 AI Declaration<\/strong> made AI a central pillar, promoting inclusive and development-oriented governance frameworks<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      BRICS+ Expansion and Strategic Shift<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Expansion into BRICS+ platform:<\/strong> BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)<\/strong>, expanded in 2022 to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran<\/strong>, making it a broader Global South platform.<\/li>\n
      2. Goal of reducing technological dependence:<\/strong> Expansion aims to build shared capacities and reduce dependence on external technologies<\/strong>, especially for developing economies.<\/li>\n
      3. Shift from networking to impact-driven projects:<\/strong> New action plans focus on biotechnology, climate tech, industrial innovation, and AI<\/strong>, aiming for larger and scalable outcomes.<\/li>\n
      4. India\u2019s 2026 Presidency priorities:<\/strong> The theme \u201cResilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability\u201d<\/strong> focuses on digital divide, public health, and climate resilience<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      5. Uneven participation of new members:<\/strong> Participation is limited, as only Egypt and Iran joined recent project calls<\/strong>, showing integration challenges within BRICS+.<\/li>\n
      6. New institutional initiatives:<\/strong> The China-BRICS Research Centre<\/strong> supports academic exchange and technological research, strengthening collaboration platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Key Challenges and Structural Limitations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Low research investment across members:<\/strong> Except China, BRICS countries have low GERD<\/strong>, creating a wide gap with advanced systems like South Korea.<\/li>\n
        2. Weak National Innovation Systems:<\/strong> Many members have weaker innovation indicators<\/strong>, requiring improvement and long-term strengthening.<\/li>\n
        3. Heterogeneity of members:<\/strong> Differences in economic development and scientific capacity<\/strong> create coordination problems and conflicting interests.<\/li>\n
        4. Limited funding and programme scale:<\/strong> Funding is modest and competitive<\/strong>, which restricts the scale and effectiveness of collaborative projects.<\/li>\n
        5. Lack of research and data framework:<\/strong> There is no regular mechanism to study STI cooperation<\/strong>, limiting data-based policy decisions.<\/li>\n
        6. Rotational and weak institutional structure:<\/strong> The system depends on annual rotating leadership<\/strong>, which is not suitable for long-term planning and continuity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Way forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n
            \n
          1. Establishing a permanent central mechanism:<\/strong> A BRICS Secretariat<\/strong>, similar to the EU model, can manage funds, monitor progress, and ensure long-term coordination.<\/li>\n
          2. Launching mega-science projects:<\/strong> Long-term large-scale projects<\/strong> can strengthen collaboration and build deeper scientific capacity among members.<\/li>\n
          3. Strengthening innovation systems of members:<\/strong> Focus should be on improving research capacity and innovation indicators<\/strong>, especially in weaker countries.<\/li>\n
          4. Expanding focus to STI governance:<\/strong> Cooperation should include governance of emerging technologies<\/strong>, ensuring better global negotiation capacity.<\/li>\n
          5. Encouraging targeted partnerships:<\/strong> Developing \u201cpaired links\u201d between members<\/strong> can reduce coordination issues and improve outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

            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\u2019s 2026 leadership offers a key opportunity to improve effectiveness and global credibility of BRICS scientific cooperation.<\/p>\n

            Question for practice:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

            Evaluate the evolution, scope, and challenges of scientific collaborations within BRICS, and examine the need for strengthening its institutional and innovation framework.<\/p>\n

            Source<\/strong>: The Hindu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            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,… Continue reading On scientific collaborations in BRICS<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":358560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230],"tags":[212,239,10498],"class_list":["post-358423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","tag-gs-paper-2","tag-international-relations","tag-the-hindu","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/On-scientific-collaborations-in-BRICS.png?fit=1280%2C850&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358423"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358423\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}