New Delhi, Delhi, 20th of February, 2026 : A bilateral meeting was held today between Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications, India, and Mr. Frederico de Siqueira Filho, Minister of Communications, Federative Republic of Brazil, to advance cooperation in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
The discussions reaffirmed the growing strategic partnership between India and Brazil and underscored digital connectivity as a foundational pillar for inclusive growth, socio-economic development, and technological sovereignty. As key partners in the BRICS framework, both sides emphasized the importance of shaping resilient, trusted, and future-ready digital ecosystems.
Welcoming the Brazilian delegation, Hon’ble Minister Scindia apprised the Brazilian side of the wide-ranging initiatives undertaken by the Government of India over the past eleven years to expand digital infrastructure, promote affordability, and strengthen inclusive connectivity. He highlighted India’s achievement in providing among the lowest data tariffs globally and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a “bouquet of services” for citizens, enabling informed choice across technologies.
Satellite communications emerged as a key priority area. The minister underlined that satcom will play a strategic role in addressing connectivity challenges in remote and far-flung areas, as well as in disaster management and emergency response, and necessary steps are being taken to start satellite-based services in India. Both sides acknowledged that for geographically vast nations such as India and Brazil, expanding connectivity to underserved regions is no longer optional but an obligation.
Minister Scindia underlined the progress of the BharatNet project—one of the world’s largest rural optical fiber roll-out programs—aimed at connecting Gram Panchayats across the country, supported by significant public investment. He also elaborated on India Stack initiatives, including Aadhaar and UPI, and noted the exponential growth of mobile-based digital transactions as a result of robust digital infrastructure.
The Brazilian side expressed interest in understanding the operational framework of India’s Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), and Minister Scindia explained its funding mechanism, including the 5 percent Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) contribution model that supports rural and remote connectivity projects.
The Brazilian minister conveyed his keen interest in expanding structured cooperation in telecommunications and shared Brazil’s initiatives in digital inclusion, including a major program with an investment of approximately USD 500 million to roll out approximately 40,000 km of optical fiber cable in the Amazon region. He also underlined Brazil’s success in promoting digital payments through the PIX platform and emphasized the country’s active engagement in satellite and submarine connectivity initiatives.
Minister Scindia further emphasized India’s focus on 5G innovation and use cases, including the establishment of 100 use case laboratories for 5G across the country to promote industry–academia collaboration and application-driven deployment. Cybersecurity was identified as another important area of collaboration, with India expressing readiness to strengthen engagement with Brazil in secure networks, telecom fraud prevention, and resilient digital infrastructure. Brazil’s expanding 5G subscriber base was noted as an opportunity for knowledge exchange and joint initiatives.
Both sides agreed to intensify bilateral engagement through regular official-level consultations, the development of a joint work plan, and the identification of nodal stakeholders to ensure outcome-driven implementation. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting inclusive, innovation-driven, and secure digital transformation.
About The Author
More Stories
Hindi And Local Languages Must Progress Together: Chief Minister Of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha.
Amit Shah Inaugurates Joint Regional Rajbhasha Conference In Agartala; Over 3,000 Participants Attend.
The Institute Of Cost Accountants Of India, Kicks Of Its Prestigious Convention – 2026, With The Theme ‘Reimagining The CMA Profession.