Addressing the 10th BRICS Science and Technology Ministerial Meeting today through virtual mode, Union Minister for Science and Technology (Independent Representative); Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh called for joint fight against common challenges. In his opening remarks, he said that Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries face many similar challenges, such as securing food, affordable health care and access to energy for their people, and addressing environmental issues such as change climate, biodiversity. loss etc.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in bringing our researchers together to address new and emerging challenges. Mr. Wang Zhigang, Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology, China, Dr. Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, Minister, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, South Africa, Mr. Paulo Alvim, Minister, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil, Mr. Valery Falkov, Minister, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russia attended the 10th Ministerial BRICS STI meeting along with senior officials and scientists.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that to solve these problems it is imperative for us to come together and innovate affordable scientific solutions. He pointed out that there are several areas where our mutual cooperation directly benefits the lives of our people, such as the establishment of a vaccine research and development center, BRICS Network University, the creation of a shared satellite constellation, mutual recognition of pharmaceutical products, etc. The minister said the BRICS Young Scientists Conclave, BRICS Youth Summits, BRICS Sports and increased exchanges between our scientific organizations, researchers and civil society have also strengthened our people-to-people contacts.
Dr Jitendra Singh said BRICS countries must deepen cooperation in areas such as health, agriculture, water, renewable energy, biotechnology, electric mobility, ICT, artificial intelligence, robotics and environment. He said the BRICS network of countries can work together to develop common S&T solutions, commercialized to suit their local economies. Dr Jitendra Singh said India will support BRICS efforts in developing innovative and inclusive solutions, including digital and technological tools to promote sustainable development and facilitate affordable and equitable access to global public goods for all.
The minister pointed out that BRICS will be of global importance in the coming time as the most populous market, driven by the knowledge economy, and emphasized that BRICS countries can work together to develop common science and technology solutions suitable for local economies. Referring to India’s efforts and march in the field of STI, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has always emphasized that the ultimate goal of all scientific endeavors is to bring “Easy of Living” for the common man; and “science-based development”. He said that India is following the mantra of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan’ which basically believes in coordinating various sectors to make India a global research and innovation hub.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that in the last eight years, the government’s expenditure on research and development has almost doubled. In this year’s budget, Rs 14,800 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Science and Technology. A budget of ₹ 5,000 crore was allocated for the creation of the National Research Foundation (NRF). He said that as a result of increased investment, India has achieved the 3rd position in scientific publications according to the NSF database and the country has been ranked among the top 50 innovative economies of the world (ranked 46) according to the Global Innovation Index (GII). It also achieved the 3rd position in the number of PhD students in the size of the higher education system; also in terms of the number of Start-ups, the minister added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to disrupt our world and India, being the fastest growing economy with the second largest population in the world, has a significant stake in the AI ​​revolution. Knowing this, we have established 25 Technology Innovation Centers (TIH) in the country. International cooperation is embedded in it, and we welcome researchers from abroad for joint research and sharing know-how, the minister emphasized.
At the closing session where the BRICS STI Declaration 2022 was adopted, Dr Jitendra Singh said that our main strategy of the BRICS STI partnership should be to promote BRICS innovative enterprises, develop new generation BRICS scientific leadership and enable resource sharing. He said BRICS countries can explore the possibilities of technology transfer and its mechanisms and technology adaptation within BRICS among member states.
He said the adopted “BRICS Innovation Action Plan 2022-23” would help share best practices and create networks among the BRICS innovation ecosystem and innovation actors. India looks forward to deepening BRICS cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Dr Jitendra Singh thanked China for successfully hosting the 2022 BRICS Summit and for organizing a number of high-level sectoral meetings, including the 10th BRICS Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting and the 12th Senior Officials’ Meeting.
