India recently hosted a Virtual Capacity Building Session on Digital Transformation for BRICS nations, led by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through the National Communications Academy – Technology (NCA-T), Ghaziabad. Held under the aegis of the BRICS ICT Working Group, the event brought together policymakers and digital leaders from member countries to share best practices and strengthen ICT collaboration.

The session was inaugurated by Mr Daniel Cavalcanti, BRICS Chair, and Mr Atul Sinha, Director General of NCA-T, India. Mr Cavalcanti praised India’s initiative in organising the session and highlighted its significance in promoting cooperation on mobile security, cyber resilience, digital infrastructure, and digital twin technologies. Mr Sinha underlined the importance of co-creating secure, scalable technologies through mutual partnerships to benefit citizens across BRICS nations.

The event featured four thematic sessions:

Session I: Empowering Mobile Users

India showcased its Sanchar Saathi initiative, which protects mobile users from fraud and promotes transparency. The discussion stressed the need for inclusive and citizen-centric digital policies to build trust in mobile communications.

Session II: Cyber Resilience for the 21st Century

India and Brazil presented national strategies focused on enhancing cyber resilience. Key themes included preparedness, rapid incident response, and the importance of international cooperation to counter emerging cyber threats.

Session III: Foundations of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

This session focused on creating secure, inclusive, and interoperable platforms. India highlighted AADHAAR as a successful DPI model that has transformed public service delivery. China also shared its experience in building digital infrastructure. DPI was recognised as a transformative tool for governance efficiency and citizen inclusion.

Session IV: Digital Twin for Public Infrastructure

India introduced the Sangam Digital Twin initiative, which leverages AI-native platforms to plan infrastructure and improve governance in real time. China contributed its insights on implementing Digital Twin technology, showcasing how data-driven simulations can optimise infrastructure management.

In closing remarks, Mr Avinash Agarwal, Deputy Director General, DoT, and Mr Daniel Cavalcanti reaffirmed the commitment of BRICS nations to collaborative digital development and mutual learning.

The session provided a platform to exchange national experiences, explore scalable innovations, and lay the foundation for future-ready, inclusive digital societies across BRICS. The outcomes are expected to strengthen strategic alliances and drive shared digital growth.