New Delhi: As the race to dominate artificial intelligence sharpens rivalry between the United States and China, India is positioning itself as a bridge-builder — using technology not just for economic growth, but as a tool of foreign policy and moral leadership for the developing world.
At a high-level A.I. summit, Indian officials and policymakers projected the country as a representative voice of the Global South, arguing that the benefits of artificial intelligence must not be monopolised by a handful of technologically advanced nations.
Unlike the United States, which is home to global A.I. giants such as OpenAI and Anthropic, or China, which combines advanced state-backed technology with control over rare earth minerals critical for chips, batteries and data centres, India lacks both dominant A.I. corporations and strategic mineral leverage.
Instead, India is advancing a third narrative: inclusive, ethical and accessible A.I.
Officials emphasised that many developing nations face what they described as an “A.I. superstorm” — rapid technological change without the infrastructure, talent, regulatory frameworks or capital to harness it safely. India’s pitch is that its experience as a large, digitally transforming democracy makes it uniquely placed to help these countries navigate that challenge.
India highlighted its success in building low-cost digital public infrastructure — from digital identity systems to real-time payments — as a model that can be adapted by other emerging economies. Rather than competing directly with Washington or Beijing, India is offering cooperation, capacity-building and shared governance frameworks for artificial intelligence.
“This is not a winner-takes-all race,” an Indian delegate said, noting that unchecked A.I. dominance risks deepening global inequality and creating new forms of digital dependence.
Geopolitically, the strategy allows India to maintain strategic autonomy — working with Western technology ecosystems while avoiding overdependence, and engaging China without mirroring its state-controlled A.I. model.
As global power increasingly hinges on who sets the rules for artificial intelligence, India’s bet is that norm-setting, trust and inclusivity can be as influential as raw computing power.
For countries left on the margins of the A.I. revolution, India is presenting itself not as a superpower — but as a partner.
