India's AI Dilemma: Shaping Global Governance or Following the Lead?

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India's approach to Artificial Intelligence is caught between two competing visions. One vision positions India as a leader of the Global South, advocating for an equitable and inclusive technological order. The other is drawn towards the economic and strategic benefits of aligning with the United States' technology ecosystem. This tension became apparent during and after the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026, and the choices made now will have long-term consequences for the nation's economy, society, and global standing.

What was India's original vision for AI governance?

In the run-up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi articulated an AI governance philosophy distinct from the discourse that dominated earlier global meetings. The summits at Bletchley Park (2023), Seoul (2024), and Paris (2025) were heavily focused on mitigating 'existential risks'—hypothetical, long-term threats from superintelligent AI. The Government of India, through its summit's framing, sought to pivot this conversation.

The stated objective was to centre the debate on the immediate, real-world harms and opportunities relevant to the Global South. These include algorithmic bias in welfare delivery, data sovereignty, job displacement, and the use of AI for public health and agriculture. This approach was rooted in India's 'AI for All' strategy, first outlined by NITI Aayog in 2018, which prioritises inclusive development and societal benefit.

Why is India now seen as shifting its stance?

Despite the initial framing, the focus of the February 2026 summit and subsequent policy signals indicate a strategic shift. According to analysis from researchers at the Centre for Communication Governance and the Aapti Institute, the policy momentum moved from Global South solidarity towards accelerating AI adoption and raising capital for AI development. This pivot was solidified by India's decision to join 'Pax Silica', the US-led semiconductor alliance.

The Ministry of External Affairs has presented this as a pragmatic move to secure access to critical technology and investment. As part of this alignment, India has reportedly agreed to adopt a 'pro-innovation' regulatory approach, which involves lighter regulation to encourage investment and rapid technological deployment. This move is seen by critics as compromising the pursuit of strategic autonomy, as it ties India's regulatory future more closely to the interests of the US tech industry.