China Joins India’s AI Impact Summit, Marking a New Phase in Tech Diplomacy

China’s decision to participate in India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi marks a significant moment in regional technology diplomacy, signalling a cautious but meaningful thaw in relations between Asia’s two largest economies. The move comes at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global economic power, national security strategies, and international governance frameworks.

The five-day summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, 2026, is being positioned by India as a major global platform to shape the future of artificial intelligence. It will bring together governments, technology leaders, researchers, and international institutions at a time when cooperation in emerging technologies is increasingly intertwined with geopolitical competition.

China has conveyed full support for India's push to strengthen reformed multilateral frameworks | NDTV

High-Level Chinese Participation Reflects Diplomatic Momentum

China will be represented by a senior-level delegation led by Chen Jiachange, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The delegation will also include Liu Yuechen, President of the Shanghai AI Research Institute, Xu Yuan, President of the Beijing Institute of Technology, and senior leadership from the Shanghai AI Laboratory and the China Center for Information Industry Development.

Indian officials have described China’s participation as a reflection of improving bilateral engagement. India’s Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, noted that relations have seen positive momentum, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin in 2025. The presence of senior Chinese science and technology officials underscores Beijing’s interest in remaining engaged in major global discussions on AI governance and innovation.

India’s Drive to Shape Global AI Governance

India has positioned the AI Impact Summit as a platform focused on inclusive, ethical, and development-oriented artificial intelligence. The summit is expected to see participation from over 100 countries, along with senior ministers, policymakers, and top executives from leading global technology companies.

India’s broader strategy emphasizes using artificial intelligence to drive public good across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance. At the same time, New Delhi is advocating for global AI frameworks that take into account the priorities of developing countries and the Global South, aiming to ensure that emerging technologies do not deepen global inequalities.

The expected participation of major global technology leaders further reinforces India’s ambition to position itself not just as a technology user, but as a rule-shaper in the evolving global AI ecosystem.

AI as a Diplomatic Bridge Between Strategic Rivals

China’s participation also aligns with its recent push for greater international cooperation on artificial intelligence. In multiple global forums, including the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese leadership has proposed the creation of international mechanisms to promote shared governance standards and reduce technological fragmentation.

For India, engagement with China on AI takes place against the backdrop of unresolved border tensions and strategic rivalry. However, the AI Impact Summit offers a neutral and forward-looking platform where both countries can engage on shared challenges such as AI safety, ethical regulation, data governance, and responsible innovation.

This approach reflects a growing recognition that even strategic competitors may need to cooperate on managing the risks and opportunities posed by powerful emerging technologies.

Strengthening India’s Role in Global Tech Diplomacy

China’s participation significantly strengthens India’s role as a convening power in global technology diplomacy. By bringing together advanced AI economies, emerging markets, and strategic rivals on one platform, India is positioning itself as a bridge between different blocs in an increasingly fragmented global technology landscape.

The summit reinforces India’s ambition to shape global conversations on artificial intelligence, highlighting its commitment to equitable access, responsible development, and shared international standards that reflect both innovation priorities and social impact concerns.

The MGMM Outlook

China’s participation in India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi reflects a notable shift in regional technology engagement and signals a cautious opening in India-China relations through the domain of emerging technologies. With senior Chinese science and technology officials attending, the move highlights Beijing’s recognition of India’s growing role in shaping global artificial intelligence discussions. The summit’s scale and international participation underscore India’s rising influence as a platform for high-level technology diplomacy at a time when AI is increasingly central to economic power, national security, and global governance.

India’s emphasis on inclusive, ethical, and development-focused artificial intelligence positions the country as a key advocate for the interests of developing nations and the Global South. The summit strengthens India’s standing as a convening power capable of bringing together strategic rivals, advanced economies, and emerging markets on common frameworks for AI safety, governance, and responsible innovation. This engagement demonstrates how technology is becoming an important channel for dialogue and cooperation, even amid ongoing geopolitical competition, reinforcing India’s ambition to play a leading role in shaping the future architecture of global AI policy.

(Sources: NDTV, Economic Times)