India Champions Cultural Justice and Ethical AI at BRICS Summit
- India urged BRICS to adopt ethical AI that respects cultural diversity and creators' rights.
- Called for stronger global laws to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, especially online.
- Advocated cultural cooperation rooted in shared values, heritage restitution, and indigenous knowledge for climate resilience.
India has called on BRICS nations to not only lead geopolitically but also civilisationally, by fostering a global cultural ecosystem rooted in shared values, ethical innovation, and heritage preservation. Addressing the 10th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the importance of strengthening legal frameworks to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property and advocated for the integration of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) that upholds cultural diversity and fairness.
Hosted at the iconic Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, the ministerial-level dialogue brought together cultural leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The meeting culminated in the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining four strategic cultural priorities: “Culture, Creative Economy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Culture, Climate Change, and the Post-2030 Development Agenda; Return and Safeguarding of Cultural Property; and BRICS Cultural Festivals and Alliances”.
In a statement issued late Monday night, the Indian Ministry of Culture said the declaration reflects the collective vision of BRICS for inclusive, rights-based, and innovation-driven cultural development. “It recognises culture and creative industries as key drivers of sustainable growth, calls for the ethical use of AI, and stresses the need to protect traditional knowledge systems,” the statement read.
Minister Shekhawat, in his remarks, reinforced India’s commitment to cultural cooperation rooted in justice, innovation, and heritage. “From championing the creative economy as a driver of inclusive growth to advocating for ethical AI and stronger digital safeguards, India places culture at the heart of sustainable development”, he posted on social media platform X, along with photos from the event.
He further called upon BRICS to lead civilisationally by forging a cultural ecosystem that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity, and anchors development in shared values. “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi development and heritage must walk together”, Shekhawat asserted, adding that India is ready to walk this path with its BRICS partners.
Highlighting India's achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shekhawat noted that 642 heritage artifacts have been reclaimed since 2014. “These are not merely returns but acts of justice that restore memory, dignity, and multilateral trust”, he said.
The minister also raised concern over the illicit online trade of cultural property and welcomed Brazil’s focus on restitution a cause he described as being close to the 'civilisational soul of the Global South'. He emphasized the need for digital safeguards and international legal cooperation to ensure cultural assets are protected from online trafficking.
Shekhawat also called for integrating indigenous knowledge systems into climate adaptation strategies, underlining the synergy between culture and climate resilience. “Traditional wisdom is vital in our collective response to climate change”, he said.
According to the Culture Ministry, India advocated for multilateral and bilateral cooperation in various fields such as museums, heritage conservation, performing arts, literature, and traditional crafts. The meeting’s theme Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance reflected a shared BRICS ambition to use cultural diplomacy as a means for global development.
On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Shekhawat held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Brazil, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates to explore partnerships in the creative economy, digital innovation, and cultural exchange.
The Culture Ministry noted that this year’s meeting placed a strong emphasis on enhancing institutional collaboration and developing joint cultural projects aimed at preserving the rich cultural diversity of BRICS nations.
Earlier, a BRICS Culture Working Group meeting was convened from May 22-23, setting the stage for the ministerial dialogue. Brazil currently holds the BRICS presidency and played a central role in shaping the cultural agenda for this year’s meeting.
India’s participation in the BRICS cultural forum reflects its broader foreign policy focus on multilateralism, cultural diplomacy, and inclusive growth. As the world navigates rapid technological changes, India’s call for ethical AI and the protection of cultural heritage resonated strongly with the event’s overarching goals.
