At the 2025 BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity to elevate India’s perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI). He passionately advocated for the responsible and inclusive use of AI, highlighting its potential to revolutionize vital sectors like agriculture and biotechnology. Modi called on BRICS nations to work together, not just to tap into the economic benefits that AI can offer, but also to ensure that its implementation serves the needs of the most vulnerable members of society. His speech painted a picture of AI that prioritizes ethics, sustainability, and human-centred development, an approach that has been steadily emerging in India’s domestic policies over recent years.
Modi’s focus on AI during the BRICS summit isn’t just a one-off diplomatic gesture; it’s part of a larger national and international game plan. India has been steadily crafting a framework for both the development and regulation of AI. Back in 2018, the NITI Aayog rolled out a discussion paper titled “National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.” This paper pinpointed five key areas of focus: healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and smart mobility. Among these, agriculture and health took centre stage because they’re directly tied to enhancing the quality of life for most of India’s population. The vision was to establish India as an “AI Garage” for the developing world, creating scalable AI innovation models that could also benefit other emerging economies, especially those in the BRICS group.
The Indian government’s approach to AI has evolved into a more organized effort focused on regulation and development. In 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) rolled out the “IndiaAI” roadmap, which aims to foster responsible AI innovation. This framework highlights the importance of transparency, fairness, accountability, and privacy in AI systems. It also encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance AI research and skill development, especially in rural communities. These policy advancements are further supported by initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025), which combines AI, machine learning, blockchain, and remote sensing to boost farm productivity, improve decision-making for farmers, and create more efficient supply chains.
In biotechnology, India is increasingly embracing AI for various purposes, including genomic research, pharmaceutical advancements, and predicting diseases. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been actively backing AI-driven tools in bioinformatics and agricultural genomics, especially through initiatives like the National Bio-Energy Mission and the Biotech-KISAN program. These efforts blend traditional knowledge with innovative AI technologies to create crops that can withstand climate challenges and promote sustainable farming methods. Modi’s mention of biotechnology at the BRICS summit highlights seeing AI not just as a means for economic progress, but as a vital component for enhancing environmental sustainability, ensuring food security, and improving public health.
At the summit, Modi emphasized the need for BRICS countries to work together more closely in sharing AI research, frameworks, and ethical guidelines. This collaborative approach is particularly important now, as global regulations on AI remain quite scattered. While nations like the United States and members of the European Union are crafting detailed AI Acts and safety measures, many developing countries, including those in BRICS, are figuring out how to integrate AI into their systems. Modi suggested establishing a BRICS AI Forum to promote the exchange of AI-driven agricultural and medical technologies, encourage inclusive innovation, and make sure that technological advancements don’t widen global inequalities.
Modi’s comments were further supported by India’s dedication to the G20’s initiatives on digital public infrastructure, which India led in 2023. During its presidency, India introduced the “One Future Alliance,” aimed at expanding digital public goods, including AI tools, for development purposes. The BRICS summit naturally aligned with this agenda, showcasing Modi’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology for social betterment.
Critics of AI have raised some important points about privacy, job displacement, algorithmic bias, and the potential misuse of personal data. Modi touched on these concerns in a roundabout way, highlighting the importance of “responsible AI,” a phrase that’s been gaining popularity worldwide. Although India hasn’t established a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI yet, Modi’s push indicates a desire to find a balance between fostering innovation and exercising caution, calling on BRICS nations to work together against the “unregulated techno-solutionism” that can often lead to social upheaval.
Additionally, Modi’s remarks at BRICS come at a pivotal moment when India is increasingly recognized as a leader among developing countries in shaping digital governance. With initiatives like the Aadhaar digital ID system, UPI payment infrastructure, and health platforms such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, all of which have the potential to incorporate AI in the future. India is setting an example of how large-scale, AI-ready digital ecosystems can operate in a responsible and inclusive manner.
Overall, PM Modi’s push for responsible and collaborative AI use at the BRICS Summit is a major milestone in shaping the global conversation around technology. By zeroing in on agriculture and biotechnology, fields that have a direct impact on millions, India is establishing itself as a leader in technology while also serving as a moral compass for the global South. Through thoughtful policy-making, international diplomacy, and a strong focus on ethical practices, Modi is presenting AI not as a distant luxury, but as an essential tool for achieving fair development in the here and now.
Written by Ratisha Khare
