India is set to push for enhanced cooperation across frontier technologies at the upcoming BRICS summit, including shared access to supercomputing resources and startup innovation networks, reflecting its ambition to deepen technology alliances among member countries.
- India promotes GRAIN initiative for shared supercomputing access
- Plans Startup Innovation Fund and research data portal
- Focus on AI, quantum, and semiconductor supply chain security
What happened
India announced plans to advance key technology collaboration projects during its chairmanship of the expanded 11-country BRICS bloc. These projects aim to establish federated access to high-performance computing systems and supercomputers through the Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (GRAIN) initiative. Additionally, a unified science and research repository is being developed to enable member nations to share datasets and advanced materials engineering capabilities.
Further initiatives include creating a Startup Innovation Fund and Incubator Network to connect chip design and deep tech startups across member countries. These efforts are designed to leverage India’s own domestic technology strategies and platforms, such as the AI-centric AIkosh data platform and IndiaAI Mission’s AI compute infrastructure.
Why it matters
The focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and semiconductor materials aligns with global efforts to reduce dependency on dominant AI providers and secure semiconductor supply chains. By promoting multilateral cooperation in these fields, India and its BRICS partners aim to build a more resilient and diversified technology ecosystem.
India’s leadership role allows it to export models of centralized data sharing platforms and innovation funding to partner countries, potentially enhancing the technological capabilities of the entire bloc. This could accelerate innovation, create economies of scale, and foster a more balanced global technology landscape amid rising geopolitical and market pressures.
What to watch next
Key developments to watch include the formal adoption and operationalization timelines of the GRAIN initiative and the science and research repository portal during and after the BRICS summit. Progress on launching the Startup Innovation Fund and incubator networks will also indicate how effectively deep tech startups can be integrated across diverse member nations.
Additionally, look for further details on how digital payments systems cooperation and other emerging technology areas will be expanded within the BRICS plus framework, especially with newer partner nations like Malaysia, Nigeria, and Vietnam playing a role in the evolving tech and innovation agenda.