India’s AI Ascent Must Remain Above Partisan Disruption: A Collective Academic Appeal

Delhi : The India AI Impact Summit marked a defining national and civilizational moment. It was India’s clear declaration to the world that India has emerged as a serious and sovereign technological power in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The recent protest by the Indian Youth Congress at the India AI Impact Summit is profoundly regrettable and ill-conceived. This was neither a partisan platform nor a venue for domestic political propaganda. It was an international forum where India was presenting its technological capabilities, strategic vision and national potential before the world. Converting such a moment into an occasion for political demonstration reflects a serious lack of judgment and an inability to distinguish between legitimate democratic dissent and the imperative of safeguarding national prestige on a global stage.

Let us look at the scale and substance of what the world witnessed at the India AI Impact Summit. As many as 644 AI technologies were showcased, reflecting the depth and diversity of innovation emerging from India and its global partners. 41 CEOs of global technology giants were present in person, signaling top-tier international confidence in India’s AI ecosystem. The summit hosted 326 exhibitors from 37 countries and drew nearly 5 lakh visitors, making it one of the largest technology gatherings of its kind. Most significantly, the event resulted in investment commitments worth $250 billion, underlining tangible global trust in India’s technological future. The unveiling of 3 indigenous Large Language Models (LLMs) further marked a decisive shift; India is no longer just adopting global AI frameworks but building its own foundational capabilities. This was not symbolism; it was structural capacity on display. India demonstrated that it is not merely consuming technology, it is architecting it.

According to the 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Index published by Stanford University, India is now ranked 3rd globally in artificial intelligence, behind only the United States and China, reflecting substantial progress in research output, talent development and infrastructure. Notably, India is the first Global South nation to enter this top tier. Such advancement is the result of sustained national effort and strategic planning and it has implications that extend far beyond domestic politics.

The protest associated with Rahul Gandhi conveyed an unfortunate impression at a time when global investors and technology leaders were assessing India’s credibility as a long-term partner in AI and advanced technologies. As a Member of Parliament, there exists a constitutional responsibility to distinguish between constructive democratic critique and actions that may inadvertently weaken India’s international standing.

It is also concerning that the approach adopted by the Indian National Congress did not adequately reflect the broader national interest during such a significant global engagement. At a time when adversarial countries such as China and Pakistan publicly questioned or sought to diminish the importance of the summit, any domestic political conduct that appears to reinforce those narratives invites serious scrutiny.

India’s progress in AI is the collective outcome of its scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, institutions, universities and policy frameworks. The summit was a clear articulation of India’s technological confidence and long-term ambition to develop indigenous foundational models, attract global capital, shape ethical governance frameworks and emerge as a decisive voice in Industry 4.0. At a time when AI is reshaping global power structures, India demonstrated resolve and capability. The international community’s presence and investment commitments affirmed that recognition. This summit will be remembered as a significant milestone in India’s technological evolution and global positioning.

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