PM Narendra Modi proposes space body, tech-led skilling to drive on BRICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told leaders of the BRICS nations that India backs the expansion of the bloc, and suggested measures to boost the group, including prioritising education and skill development.

"India fully supports the expansion of Brics, we welcome moving forward with consensus on this," Modi said at the plenary session of the 15th Brics Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Modi had five suggestions for boosting the group. He proposed setting up a Brics Space Exploration Consortium which will help Brics nations conduct space research and monitor the weather.


Modi said Brics could help the world by making societies future-ready, for which member nations can work to prioritise education and skill development using technological tools.

He cited the example of DIKSHA Portal and said such a tool can be developed for Brics nations too.

Modi also said that an AI-based language platform would remove language barriers.

"Diversity is our strength; our diversity has helped us cross adversities. These solutions can be implemented anywhere..." Modi said.

The prime minister also proposed setting up a tool among Brics members for better skills mapping.

"Brics will be breaking barriers, revitalising economies, inspiring innovations, creating opportunities and shaping futures," Modi said.

He said the organisation has made some big achievements and undertaken a long journey in the last 16 years.

"In around two decades, Brics has undertaken a long and magnificent journey. In this journey, we made numerous achievements. To make Brics a future-ready organisation, we will need to make our respective societies also future-ready, and technology will play an important role in this," Modi said.

"To give a new path to the Brics agenda, India had put forth suggestions on issues such as railway research network, close cooperation between MSMEs, online Brics database and startup firms," Modi said. "I am happy that a lot of progress was made on these issues."

India has proposed permanent G20 membership for the African Union. "I am confident that our Brics partners will support this in G20," Modi said.

Brics brings together five big economies, representing 41% of the global population, 24% of the global GDP, and 16% of the global trade.