BRICS Adopts New Delhi Declaration to Build Sovereign Digital and Space Ecosystem

BRICS member nations have adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, establishing a sweeping technology agenda designed to reduce reliance on Western-led digital and space infrastructures. The agreement marks a strategic pivot toward technological autonomy for the expanded bloc.

At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, leaders formalized a framework for cooperation across frontier technologies, including quantum computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. A central pillar of the agreement is the pursuit of a "sovereign and self-reliant digital ecosystem," according to the New Delhi Declaration 2026. To support this, the bloc is proposing the creation of a digital public infrastructure repository to share and test technical solutions across member economies, alongside the establishment of a BRICS Incubator Network and a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund.

Physical connectivity is also a priority. A dedicated Task Force has already concluded a "BRICS Cable Requirements: directive brief," which serves as the foundation for studying the feasibility of a high-speed submarine communications network linking member countries. In the orbital domain, the bloc highlighted the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) as a critical tool for socio-economic development and addressing global challenges. Furthermore, the declaration explicitly reasserts support for the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and the weaponization of space, emphasizing the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The Push for Digital Sovereignty

This coordinated effort follows a series of strategic meetings in Bengaluru and Shanghai focused on space agency cooperation and AI governance. By integrating their digital infrastructure, BRICS nations are attempting to bypass the current technological hegemony dominated by the U.S. and Europe. The move is not merely about technical capacity but about geopolitical leverage, ensuring that the tools of Industry 4.0 are not controlled by a small group of Western powers.

Implications for the Global South

For the Global South, the declaration represents a shift toward a more equitable distribution of AI resources and digital tools. By fostering a self-reliant ecosystem, member states aim to ensure that developing nations can implement digital transformations without being tethered to external proprietary systems. The proposed submarine cable network, in particular, would provide a critical alternative for data transit, potentially increasing security and reducing costs for member states.

Future Outlook

While the declaration sets a bold vision, the transition from a "directive brief" to a physical submarine cable network remains a massive engineering and financial undertaking. Observers will be watching for the actual capitalization of the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and the first pilot projects emerging from the digital public infrastructure repository to determine if the bloc can translate these diplomatic commitments into tangible technical assets.