BRICS Youth Summit opens in Gandhinagar with Rs 1,000 crore startup fund

The BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council have commenced in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. During the inaugural ceremony, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi addressed delegates, emphasizing that young people represent both the future and the “strong present” of their respective nations.

Sanghavi noted the significant global footprint of BRICS nations, which collectively account for approximately 49.5 percent of the world's population and 40 percent of the global GDP. He highlighted that more than half of the combined population within these nations is under the age of 35.

To support regional and international innovation, the Gujarat government has introduced the ‘Gujarat STI Policy 2026-31’. This policy includes an innovation fund of Rs 1,000 crore, which will be accessible to young entrepreneurs from both India and abroad. Sanghavi also stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement, such as semiconductors and space technology, with environmental sustainability.