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Key Points

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized that India carries special responsibility in the AI landscape as Global South nations look to the country for inspiration. He highlighted how India's digital public infrastructure successes have become a topic of international conversation during his foreign visits. The minister stressed the need for developing indigenous AI tools and establishing proper governance frameworks. Jaishankar noted that AI will transform economies, work habits, and create new health solutions while impacting every citizen globally.

Key Points: Jaishankar Says Global South Looks to India for AI Inspiration

  • India must develop indigenous AI tools and self-assessment protocols for innovators
  • AI transformation will be all-pervasive impacting every citizen globally
  • Digital public infrastructure achievements resonating across international forums
  • Balanced AI governance needed with adequate guardrails for protection
3 min read

India bears a special responsibility because Global South nations look to us for inspiration: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister highlights India's special responsibility in AI governance as Global South nations seek inspiration from India's digital public infrastructure success.

"India bears a special responsibility because many other nations - especially those of the Global South - they look to us for inspiration - EAM Jaishankar"

New Delhi, October 7

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined the important role India plays in the global Artificial Intelligence landscape, noting that several countries, especially those from the Global South, look up to it for inspiration.

He made the remarks while speaking at the Trust and Safety India Festival 2025. As a pre-summit for February 2026 AI Impact Summit it kicks of conversations of interest for India and the world.

"India bears a special responsibility because many other nations - especially those of the Global South - they look to us for inspiration, and certainly in the case of the digital public infrastructure."

Highlighting the achievements of India in the last decade when one looks at the scale of delivery, improvement in governance, efficiencies with which public is served, the EAM noted that this is resonating across the world.

"As a Foreign Minister, when I go abroad, this is often the topic of conversation, and I can see very much, this being extrapolated into the world of AI as well", he said.

Jaishankar highlighted in his remarks how for a society like India, when it comes to responsible AI, "this means development of indigenous tools and frameworks, self-assessment protocols for innovators and establishing relevant guidelines. Only then can we be assured that the development, deployment, use and governance of AI is safe and accessible."

Noting that the world is at a cusp of an immense change, Jaishankar mentioned how the decisions made by us individually and collectively will help decide the fate of the foreseeable future.

He said that those who consider this a far-fetched idea, in the next few years, "AI will transform our economies, change our work habits, create radically new health solutions, enhance educational access, improve efficiencies and could even lead to a new lifestyle.

Noting that the changes brought by AI will be all-pervasive and impact every person, Jaishankar said it is thus imperative to adopt a balanced approach towards AI governance for protecting digital citizens.

He underscored, "The difference with the past is that this particular transformation that is going to come upon us - this will be all-pervasive and not just sectoral. It will impact every citizen in every corner of the world. New efficiencies and new possibilities will certainly emerge; but so too will new players and new power centres. For this very reason, we need to adopt a balanced approach to the governance of AI and to ensure that there are adequate guardrails in place to protect digital nagriks. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has noted: "Technology is a force for good, but only if humanity guides it".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I appreciate the vision, I hope we focus equally on AI education and infrastructure at the grassroots level. Many rural areas still lack basic digital literacy - we need to bridge this gap before talking about global leadership.
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Arjun K
The emphasis on indigenous tools and frameworks is crucial. We cannot depend on foreign technology for something as critical as AI. Make in India should be the mantra for AI development too! 🚀
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Sarah B
As someone working in tech, I'm excited but also concerned about job displacement. The government needs to have concrete plans for reskilling and upskilling our workforce. AI should create opportunities, not destroy livelihoods.
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Vikram M
Our digital public infrastructure success gives us the credibility to lead in AI governance. The world needs India's balanced approach - neither too restrictive nor too liberal. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Michael C
The PM's quote "Technology is a force for good, but only if humanity guides it" perfectly captures the essence. Hope we maintain this philosophical approach while developing practical AI solutions.

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