Global AI Governance
Global AI governance seeks to establish norms for AI development and deployment. India advocates for an inclusive, equitable approach focusing on user safety...
India's evolving stance on global AI governance, initially advocating for the Global South's concerns regarding real-world harms and equity, has shifted towards positioning itself as a 'middle power' aligned with US tech interests (Pax Silica). This move, prioritizing capital and adoption, risks compromising India's strategic autonomy and Global South solidarity, potentially making India a consumer and resource extraction site for American Big Tech. The article suggests India still has an opportunity to lead a multilateral AI governance framework at the UN, championing the Global South's interests, fostering local AI ecosystems, and ensuring equitable benefits and user protection.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Global AI governance seeks to establish norms for AI development and deployment. India advocates for an inclusive, equitable approach focusing on user safety...
India is navigating a complex geopolitical identity, balancing aspirations as a 'middle power' with its traditional role as a voice for the Global South, par...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
India is a member of which of the following?
1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation.
2. Association of South-East Asian Nations.
3. East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): India is not a member of APEC. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN): India is not a member of ASEAN, but it is a part of ASEAN6. East Asia Summit: India is a member of the East Asia Summit. Therefore, out of the given options, India is only a member of the East Asia Summit.
Consider the following:
1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
2. Missile Technology Control Regime
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?
India is a member of all the Organizations mentioned. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: SCO has 10 full members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (founding members), India, Pakistan (joined 2017), Iran (joined 2023), and Belarus (joined 2024). Missile Technology Control Regime: India became a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) on June 27, 2016, becoming the 35th partner country and strengthening international efforts to prevent the spread of missile technology. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: India joined the AIIB as a founding member in 2015, signing the Articles of Agreement on June 29, 2015, in Beijing, becoming one of the 50 initial signatories to establish the multilateral development bank. India is the second-largest shareholder in the AIIB after China.
Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
2. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) was hosted in New Delhi in October 2015. The first and second summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi) and 2011 (Addis Ababa), respectively, making the 2015 event the third edition. Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit was institutionalized in 2008 to serve as the official platform for African-Indian relations. While Jawaharlal Nehru was a pioneer of Afro-Asian solidarity (e.g., the Asian Relations Conference of 1947), the IAFS is a distinct 21st-century initiative and was not established in 1951.
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
*The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024 under Russia’s chairship. Russia held the rotating presidency in 2024, and the summit took place from October 22-24 in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*Indonesia became a full member of BRICS in January 2025, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation and the 10th member of the bloc.* ❌ Statement III: Incorrect
*The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit is "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The statement used "Multiculturalism" instead of "Multilateralism," making it incorrect for this question.* Therefore, only statements I and II are correct.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’ recently in the news, is related to the affairs of:
The Fortaleza Declaration is related to the affairs of the BRICS group of countries. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Fortaleza Declaration was signed during the Sixth BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July 2014.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?
* Statement 1 is correct: Trade and Technology Council was launched by the the United States of America and the European Union during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade and Technology council, the USA and EU does not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Rather the initiative intends to promote pooling of digital resources such as AI models and computing power, and make them available to partner countries to address challenges in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, healthcare or smart agriculture.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.
Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.
How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.
The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.
MCQs drawn from today's published current affairs.
The article states: 'The summit’s themes framed by India were rooted in the contextual realities of the Global South with a focus on real-world harms. This was a departure from the previous summits (at Bletchley Park, 2023, U.K.; Seoul 2024, and Paris 2025) that prioritised both catastrophic and existential risks over questions of present harms, equity and inclusion.' Options A, B, and D describe either the approach of other summits or India's shifted stance.
The article states: 'This repositioning of India’s geopolitical character, as a middle power, has left it in a lonely corner... Will India mainly be a consumer of U.S. tech with Indian users bearing disproportionate harm? Will India be a site for extraction of data, labour for data labelling, minerals for manufacturing, and land, water, electricity and resources for data centres, primarily enabling the growth of American Big Tech?' Options A, B, and D are either contrary to the article's points or represent an opportunity India could pursue, not a consequence of the current shift.
The article states: 'The U.S. has declared its disinterest in AI governance, especially global multilateral or multistakeholder governance... Will this be a repeat of the social media story — when U.S. foreign policy pushed back against regulating for user harms to safeguard the interests of social media platforms concentrated in the U.S.? Furthermore, economic value primarily accrues to American industry...' This clearly indicates A, B, and C are characteristics. D is the opposite of what the article suggests regarding US policy on user harms.
Introduce India's initial and shifted stance, analyze the impact on strategic autonomy and Global South solidarity, and evaluate the challenges and opportunities for India's leadership in multilateral AI governance.
Outline the current opportunity for India, detail specific actions India can take to champion Global South interests, foster local AI ecosystems, and ensure equitable benefits and user protection.