At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, India signalled a strategic challenge to the long-standing dominance of the United States and China in artificial intelligence, highlighting an ambition to reshape the global AI landscape around more inclusive and multipolar principles. A draft summit declaration seen by Politico reportedly frames India’s approach as an effort to “democratize” the resources and norms underpinning AI development, pushing back against a world order largely shaped by US and Chinese tech giants and governments.
Rather than simply aligning with existing power structures, India is emphasising its own model of AI that prioritises accessibility, cost-effective computing, and relevance to diverse markets — particularly across the Global South. Delegates at the event have reiterated that India aims to pursue AI development “the Indian way,” reflecting confidence in domestic talent pools, policy frameworks, and a business environment that supports broader participation rather than concentrated control.
Observers see this posture as part of a wider geopolitical shift in technology competition. While the US and China have invested heavily in frontier AI research, infrastructure and regulation, India’s strategy leverages its demographic strengths, digital public infrastructure and coalition-building among emerging economies to carve out a third pole in global AI governance. This multipolar vision challenges the binary framing of AI leadership and seeks to ensure that developing nations have a greater voice in setting norms, standards and equitable access to AI technologies.
The summit’s efforts align with broader diplomatic initiatives — from bilateral cooperation frameworks like the United States–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology to India’s push for an “AI Commons” that makes interoperable AI tools and use cases available globally. While India still trails the US and China in deep technological resources, its emphasis on coalition-driven, impact-focused AI governance reflects a growing desire to rebalance power and influence in the future of artificial intelligence.
