As the United States and China vie for supremacy in the global AI race, India is crafting a powerful alternative — an “AI for All” model rooted in democratic values, ethical governance, and inclusive innovation

The global race for artificial intelligence supremacy has become the most significant geopolitical contest of our time, all the while revolutionising global economic structures and diplomatic ties at an unprecedented pace. As the United States and China compete intensely for AI dominance, India is carving a distinctive “third way” — a uniquely Indian approach to AI governance that balances technological ambition with democratic values and inclusive growth. At this important historical moment, communication frameworks for emerging technologies have developed into complex narratives that form national identity and extend international influence beyond basic policy declarations.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence has become a key factor influencing worldwide geopolitical dynamics and digital transformation. As nations face ethical and legal challenges around AI technology, India emerges as an exceptional leader ready to develop AI governance principles based on democratic values and inclusive innovation.

In a growing digital asymmetry and market-driven strategies, India’s ability to develop a balanced framework that protects citizen rights alongside technological progress represents a significant alternative with global implications. The paper examines India’s developing institutional architecture alongside its multi-stakeholder ecosystem and policy frameworks to identify obstacles that need resolution to achieve this vision of ethical AI leadership in a contested digital future.

The India Story

At the AI Action Summit in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated a vision central to India’s approach to artificial intelligence: “AI is developing at an unprecedented scale and speed. And being adopted and deployed even faster. There is also a deep inter-dependence across borders. Therefore, there is a need for collective global efforts to establish governance and standards, that uphold our shared values, address risks, and build trust.” Analysts now refer to this balanced perspective as the foundation for “India’s Techade,” representing a decade where technology-driven innovation serves as a national strategic asset and priority.

The establishment of IndiaAI Mission embodies this vision through its comprehensive ecosystem that drives AI innovation with strategic programs and partnerships spanning both public and private sectors. The architecture of the Mission rests on six interconnected pillars: embedding AI into governance systems for improved public service delivery; creating ethical frameworks that balance innovation and responsibility; building strong computational infrastructure; developing human capital through widespread AI skilling initiatives; boosting innovation through strategic intellectual property approaches; and leveraging data while respecting privacy concerns.

Through these combined efforts, India establishes itself as a distinctive AI governance leader that integrates technological progress with democratic principles and inclusive growth to stand apart from Western market-driven models and state-controlled systems.

The foundation of India’s AI governance architecture has evolved through a strategic institutionalisation process that balances ambition with deliberate oversight. The 2018 National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence by NITI Aayog formally introduced “AI for All” as the main principle.

Through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the vision evolved into the IndiaAI Mission, which directs more than ?10,000 crore to develop domestic computing power, AI solutions for public services, and ethical standards incorporating Indian values and societal goals.

The governance ecosystem continues to grow with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) supporting the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI), which aims to unify regulatory supervision. Complementing these efforts, the Bureau of Indian Standards collaborates with the Telecommunication Engineering Centre to develop technical certifications and standardisation frameworks to promote ethical AI adoption.

A wide variety of actors contribute to shaping AI governance in India. Public sector agencies establish strategic objectives while private companies handle implementation. The thriving startup ecosystem, hosting over 3,000 AI startups, serves as a foundational force. The IITs, IIITs, and IISc offer both technical expertise and ethical guidelines.

Civil society organisations conduct supervision activities and support data rights advocacy. International research collaborations further highlight India’s growing involvement in transnational digital governance. The cooperative federal dimension of India’s AI landscape adds another layer of adaptability. State Governments’ involvement introduces a federal component. Localised AI projects like Maharashtra’s pest management systems and Assam’s school attendance tracking demonstrate improved public service delivery and contribute to a national integration strategy. State-level innovations solve regional problems while contributing to central policy learning.

India approaches its policymaking with practical and progressive methods. MeitY’s Responsible AI for All framework defines four principles: fairness, transparency, safety, and accountability. The IndiaAI Mission advances these through financial support and the establishment of “Safe & Trusted AI.” The voice-based translation service Bhashini illustrates India’s commitment to promoting digital public goods and linguistic inclusion. On the global stage, India serves as co-chair of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and hosted the 2023 summit in New Delhi to endorse an AI governance system that prioritises inclusivity and human-centric values. During the 2025 Paris AI Action Summit, India endorsed a declaration backing ethical and open AI principles and reinforced its leading role in sustainable responsible AI development.

Navigating through AI landscape

Despite these achievements, India faces significant challenges. AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes stand out. Analysts express concerns about insufficient data protection regulations and consent protocols, particularly regarding facial recognition in public areas. Scholars recommend privacy protections tailored to industries and enforcement of transparency rules.

Another concern is algorithmic bias, which can perpetuate discrimination in lending, hiring, and law enforcement. Due to India’s varied socio-linguistic environment, AI systems demand diverse datasets. The digital divide remains a key concern. The unequal distribution of digital tools threatens marginalisation among rural communities. The IndiaAI FutureSkills program addresses this through skilling initiatives and AI labs across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, but substantial effort is needed to bridge the urban-rural gap.As India continues to develop its AI governance framework, it must balance technological advancement with ethics, democracy, and inclusion. This “Indian approach” represents a unique global pathway placing human welfare and inclusive growth at the core of technological advancement.

India occupies a crucial position within the worldwide AI ecosystem. Its democratic values, digital framework, and broad vision position it to help develop a global AI system prioritising safety, inclusivity, and accountability. India’s ability to apply its domestic governance achievements to global leadership depends on strong institutions, dynamic stakeholder engagement, and progressive policy strategies. The path forward demands inclusion and a firm dedication to public-interest AI. India stands as the primary digital innovation voice from the Global South and has a historic chance to define the global meaning of “AI for All.”

(The writer is a formal Civil Servant. Inputs by Zoya Ahmad and Vaishnavie Srinivasan. Views expressed are personal)