India-China Collaboration on Global AI Governance

The artificial intelligence (AI) governance is an essential point on the agenda of the 2025 visit to China by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, as it became a turning point in the relations between India and China. Nevertheless, the relations between the two countries have been strained, but now both countries view AI as a place where they can cooperate to benefit each other and enhance the voice of the Global South.

Context of Relations

Clashes at the border deteriorated relations, yet the SCO platform can help India and China to redirect toward technology and economic interaction. AI governance provides the shared space to counter rivalry with cooperation.

Importance of AI Governance

Artificial intelligence is redefining the spheres of healthcare to manufacturing, but it also brings up ethical and geopolitical issues. Western paradigms (OECD, EU, G7) dominate the global governance of AI, and developing countries are not well represented there. India and China seek to fill this.

India's AI Roadmap

The Indian AI market is estimated to be at 8 bn dollars in 2025 and growing fast. Initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission (2024) and AI for India 2.0 (2023) stress ethical, inclusive AI and skill development. India promotes the use of AI solutions to developing countries and is prolific in forums such as GPAI.

China's AI Leadership

China aims to be a global leader in AI by the year 2030 with a support of a 140 billion AI industry. In governance, AI is a public good and efforts are underway through AI governance initiatives such as the Global AI Governance Initiative (2023) and Shanghai Declaration (2024) that highlight equity, safety, and cooperation among the South.

Scope for Cooperation

India's emphasis on ethics complements China's industrial strength. Both countries support:

• Bridging the digital divide
• Reasonable data sharing systems.
• Sustainable development through AI

Future Outlook

Their collective impact can be increased by the presence of a bilateral AI task force and a potential Global South AI Forum under the UN. India and China can also agree on the principles of governance and make sure that AI regulations are based on the views of various global powers rather than only on those of developed economies.