India-China AI Cooperation 2025

Recent developments in 2025 mark a significant milestone in India-China relations, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. This was the first high-level visit since the Galwan Valley clash, signalling a potential recalibration in bilateral ties.

Beyond traditional diplomacy, the summit focused on India-China AI cooperation, a crucial area of emerging technology and global governance.

Context of India-China Relations

India and China have experienced heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly following border conflicts, such as the Galwan Valley incident. Despite historical mistrust, both nations recognize the strategic value of cooperation in areas such as technology and trade. The SCO summit offers a platform to prioritise economic ties and India-China AI relations over longstanding disputes.

The focus on AI cooperation initiatives highlights the importance both countries place on shaping global AI governance and ensuring that the Global South has a voice in AI policymaking.

Significance of AI in Global Governance

Artificial intelligence (AI) is central to the next industrial revolution, impacting sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and manufacturing. While AI promises economic growth and technological innovation, it also raises ethical and geopolitical concerns. Currently, the Western world dominates AI governance frameworks through organisations like the OECD, G7, EU, and UN.

India-China AI cooperation presents an opportunity for developing nations to influence AI policies and ensure that the benefits of AI are fairly distributed, not monopolised by the Global North.

India’s AI Initiatives and Vision

India’s AI market is rapidly expanding, expected to reach $8 billion by 2025, with an annual growth rate exceeding 40%.

Key government programmes include:

• IndiaAI Mission (2024)

• National Strategy for AI (2018)

• AI for India 2.0 (2023)

These initiatives focus on ethical AI use, inclusivity, and skill development, aligning with India’s advocacy for equitable AI access for developing nations. India actively participates in global partnerships like the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), supporting India-China AI cooperation as part of broader South-South collaboration.

China’s AI Leadership and Governance

China aims to become the global AI leader by 2030, with its core AI industry valued at over USD 140 billion. The country has established comprehensive AI governance frameworks, emphasising fairness, security, and inclusivity.

Key initiatives include:

• Global AI Governance Initiative (2023)

• Shanghai Declaration (2024)

China treats AI as an international public good, prioritising data access, safety standards, and equitable benefits, which perfectly complements India’s focus on ethics and inclusivity in India-China AI cooperation.

Potential for India-China AI Cooperation

Despite political differences, India and China share strong incentives to collaborate on AI governance. India’s ethical framework complements China’s industrial strength and infrastructure.

Key areas of India-China AI cooperation include:

• Bilateral task force on AI ethics India-China

• India-China partnership for responsible AI development

• India-China collaboration on AI safety and ethics

• Reducing the digital divide

• Promoting fair data sharing

• Supporting sustainable development

Such AI cooperation initiatives can ensure that Global South AI governance becomes stronger and more representative.

Future Prospects

The two countries could co-host a Global South AI Forum under the United Nations, amplifying their collective voice in global AI negotiations. This approach can prevent AI governance from being dominated solely by the Global North, enabling an inclusive and diverse AI policy framework.

The long-term vision of India-China AI cooperation includes:

• Strengthening bilateral AI partnership

• Developing AI governance frameworks for developing nations

• Promoting India-China AI relations in global policy discussions

• Ensuring ethical, safe, and inclusive AI development

Final Thoughts

India-China AI cooperation marks a transformative step in global technological diplomacy. By combining India’s focus on ethical AI and inclusivity with China’s industrial strength and governance frameworks, both nations have the potential to shape AI rules for the Global South. This collaboration highlights the importance of equitable access to AI technologies and the need to reduce the digital divide.

Through initiatives like bilateral task forces and AI forums, India and China can ensure that AI governance is fair, safe, and globally representative. Their partnership demonstrates that geopolitical differences need not hinder technological progress.

By championing responsible AI development, both countries are setting a precedent for inclusive, sustainable, and ethical AI policies worldwide.