Science of the Global South: BRICS Academies Meet on AI at IIT Hyderabad
A scientific forum is a soft-power instrument — and its focus on AI for sustainable development marks where the developing world wants a seat at the table
What happened
An aspirant should read a scientific forum as a diplomatic instrument. BRICS is contesting who sets the rules of the emerging global order, and science cooperation is one of the quieter arenas of that contest. The forum's AI focus is telling: the developing world is seeking not only to use artificial intelligence but to influence how it is governed, and India's hosting places it near the centre of that ambition.
Why a science forum is a diplomatic instrument
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology; BRICS
BRICS began as an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — a grouping of major emerging economies formalised through summits from 2009 — and has expanded to include additional members, positioning itself as a platform for the Global South and a counterweight to Western-led institutions such as the G7.
●It has spawned institutions including the New Development Bank (NDB) and a Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
●Science diplomacy is the use of scientific cooperation — joint research, academy forums, shared infrastructure — to advance foreign-policy relationships and to shape international norms in science and technology.
●The BRICS Science Academies Forum brings together the national academies of member countries; India's are the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences India.
●The forum's focus on artificial intelligence for sustainable development reflects the developing world's dual interest in applying AI to its own problems — agriculture, health, climate — and in influencing the governance of a technology whose standards are largely being set in the advanced economies.
●Hosting at IIT Hyderabad projects India's technical standing within the grouping.
The BRICS Science Academies Forum is science diplomacy — emerging economies cooperating on AI for sustainable development to build shared research capacity and to claim a voice in governing a technology whose rules are being written in the advanced economies.
◎ In Simple Words
BRICS is a group of large developing countries — India, China, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and some new members — that want a bigger say in world affairs, as a balance to rich Western nations. Their national science bodies met at IIT Hyderabad to work together on using artificial intelligence for development goals. Countries cooperating on science is a form of diplomacy: it builds trust and shared influence. By focusing on AI, these developing countries are saying they want a voice in shaping a powerful new technology whose rules are mostly being set by wealthy nations.
Factual Pointers
Practice · 2 questions
The term 'science diplomacy', illustrated by the BRICS Science Academies Forum, refers to which of the following?
With reference to BRICS, which one of the following statements is correct?
Mains Practice Questions
Science diplomacy is a quiet arena of the contest over the global order. Examine with reference to BRICS scientific cooperation.
The governance of artificial intelligence risks leaving developing countries as rule-takers. Discuss how platforms like BRICS seek to change that.
India engages competing international platforms without alignment to any. Analyse this multi-vector strategy with reference to its BRICS and Western technology partnerships.
MCQ Practice
3 questions on this article
With trap analysis, approach guide, and UPSC angle
Frequently Asked
· People also askWhat is the BRICS Science Academies Forum?
A forum bringing together the national science academies of BRICS member countries to cooperate on research. Its second meeting was held at IIT Hyderabad, focusing on artificial intelligence for sustainable development and Global South cooperation. It is an instrument of science diplomacy — using scientific cooperation for foreign-policy and norm-shaping ends.
GS2 · International RelationsHosting it in India projects the country's scientific standing within the grouping and its ambition to help lead a Global South science agenda.
SOURCE Ministry of Science and Technology
What is BRICS?
A grouping of major emerging economies — originally Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, since expanded to additional members — that positions itself as a voice for the Global South and a counterweight to Western-led institutions. It has created bodies including the New Development Bank and a Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
GS2 · GroupingsIt coordinates politically and economically but is not a military alliance or a free-trade area.
SOURCE BRICS
Why focus on AI for sustainable development?
Because developing countries want both to apply AI to their own challenges — agriculture, health, climate — and to influence the governance of a technology whose rules are being set largely in advanced economies. A BRICS forum on AI asserts a claim to shape that governance rather than merely receive it.
GS3 · AI governanceThe AI applications relevant to the Global South differ from those driving AI in wealthy markets, which is why pooling research suited to these contexts matters.
SOURCE BRICS forum, July 2026
What is science diplomacy?
The use of scientific cooperation — joint research, academy forums, shared infrastructure — to advance foreign-policy relationships and shape international norms in science and technology. It gives a grouping like BRICS substance beyond summitry by building shared research capacity and connective ties among members.
GS2 · DiplomacyIts practical value depends on translating cooperation into sustained joint work rather than periodic declarations.
SOURCE Foreign-policy literature
How does this fit India's foreign policy?
It reflects India's multi-vector strategy: leading a Global South science agenda within BRICS while simultaneously deepening technology ties with the United States, Europe and others. India engages competing platforms without aligning to any, using its scientific standing as diplomatic capital.
GS2 · India's strategyHosting a BRICS forum while maintaining Western technology partnerships illustrates this balancing act, characteristic of India's non-aligned, multi-partner approach.
SOURCE Ministry of External Affairs