India recently hosted two major meetings for the BRICS group of nations. Technology and communications leaders met in Pune, while tourism leaders gathered in Jaipur. The main goal of these events was to figure out how member countries can work together to improve digital technology and make travel easier and greener.
Improving Digital Technology Together
The meeting in Pune focused on how countries can use new technology to build a better future. The main topics included:
Safe Internet: Leaders discussed how to protect important computer networks and banking systems from cyber attacks.
Sharing Indian Tech: India highlighted its successful digital payment systems (like UPI). Instead of keeping this technology to itself to make money, India wants to share it with other developing countries for free—similar to how it shared COVID-19 vaccines.
Fair Rules: India stressed that the rules for new technologies should be fair for everyone, ensuring that developing countries benefit just as much as wealthy nations.
Making Travel Easier and Greener
At the Jaipur meeting, the focus shifted to travel and culture. The tourism leaders worked on plans to:
Connect People: Tourism isn’t just about money; it helps people from different cultures understand each other and build friendships.
Boost the Economy: Travel is a “clean” industry that creates jobs and encourages trade between countries without causing heavy pollution.
Simplify Rules: The leaders discussed a starting plan (called a “Zero Draft”) to make visas and travel rules simpler so that tourists can move more easily across BRICS borders.
The Growth of BRICS
These meetings also highlighted how much the BRICS group has grown.
From Small to Big: It originally started with just Brazil, Russia, India, and China, eventually adding South Africa.
New Members: Recently, the group expanded to 11 countries, bringing in nations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.
Global Power: Today, BRICS countries represent about half of the people on Earth and a huge portion of the world’s money.
By leading these talks on technology and travel, India is helping this growing group of nations work together to build stronger economies and better connections.