In January 2025, India accepted France’s invitation to co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris.

India’s Participation in the AI Action Summit

• AI Action Summit: In January 2025, India accepted France’s invitation to co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris, scheduled for February 10-11.
• Past Summits: This summit, the third of its kind, follows previous meetings in the U.K. (2023) and South Korea (2024).
  • The first summit in Bletchley Park centered on the risks of emerging AI models, launching the U.K. AI Safety Institute (AISI).
  • The second meeting in Seoul broadened the conversation to include multilateral collaboration on AI risk management, engaging countries like the U.S., France, Singapore, Japan, and the EU.
• Focus of Paris Summit: The Paris summit will expand discussions to include innovation, public interest AI, the future of work, and AI governance.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

India’s, AI Safety and Global South

• For India, this summit represents a significant opportunity to enhance its global leadership on AI safety while amplifying the voice of the Global South on key AI issues.
• AI Safety Institute: India has played an active role in global AI discourse, particularly on AI safety. Recently, India’s IT Minister announced plans to establish its own AI Safety Institute.
• India’s Leadership for the Global South: India has also championed the cause of the Global South in multilateral AI forums. During India’s G20 presidency in 2023, the group endorsed a “pro-innovation regulatory approach” to balance AI innovation with necessary safety measures.
• Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI): Additionally, in December 2023, India hosted the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) meeting, emphasizing equitable access to AI resources and infrastructure for developing nations. These efforts have positioned India as a leading advocate for AI governance that benefits all nations, particularly those in the Global South.

 Strategic Priorities for the Global South at the Paris Summit

• To make the most of its co-chair role at the Paris summit, India should focus on three key strategic priorities to advance the interests of the Global South:
• Democratizing Access to AI Resources: India should advocate for broadening access to essential AI resources across the entire AI value chain. 
  • Example Set by India: India’s domestic initiative, which provides a common computing facility with over 18,600 GPUs and 40% government subsidies, sets an example. 
  • Efforts to Extend Beyond Computing Hardware: Efforts should expand to include data sets, cloud platforms, foundation models, and development tools. 
  • India should also support distributed computing, safety innovations like watermarking, and open-source AI models like DeepSeek
  • Cross-Border Collaboration: Additionally, India must advocate for flexible cross-border AI tech transfers while ensuring safety standards.

• Prioritizing AI Use-Cases for the Global South: India must push for the creation of a framework that identifies AI use-cases tailored to the unique contexts of the Global South.
  • Reasons: This will ensure that AI applications address local needs rather than imposing foreign solutions. 
  • Examples include early disease detection systems adapted to local healthcare infrastructure, personalized learning platforms designed for diverse educational settings, and agricultural tools like weather prediction or soil analysis suited to regional farming practices.
  • The establishment of an AI use-case repository after the summit could guide the Global South in identifying and prioritizing its AI needs.
• Contextualizing AI Risks for Developing Nations: India should highlight the need to address AI risks and safety measures specific to the Global South. Developing nations face unique challenges, such as the cultural impact of large language models trained on Western data.
  • India should advocate for gathering evidence on AI-related harms in these regions to shape effective risk mitigation strategies. A repository documenting these harms could help guide future regulations for the Global South.

Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store

Path Ahead

• As co-chair of the Paris AI Action Summit, India has the opportunity to advance the key priorities of the Global South in the evolving AI landscape.
• By focusing on equitable access, context-specific use-cases, and tailored safety measures, India can strengthen its position as a global leader in AI governance. 
• Additionally, India’s successful co-chairing of the summit could position the country as an ideal candidate to host the next AI Action Summit, further solidifying its role as a bridge between AI superpowers in the Global North and emerging nations in the Global South.

Conclusion

India’s active participation in the Paris AI Action Summit is a crucial opportunity to shape the global AI agenda in ways that benefit the Global South. By advancing priorities such as democratizing access to AI resources, prioritizing region-specific use-cases, and contextualizing AI risks, India can cement its leadership role in global AI governance, fostering an inclusive dialogue on AI that empowers developing nations.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!

DOWNLOAD PDF

Breakdown of the Post-1945 World Order

• Violence in Different Parts of the Word: The present global scenario is marked by increasing violence in various parts of the world, including Europe and West Asia. The ongoing conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza, and other parts of West Asia, highlight the breakdown of the world order established after 1945.
• International Authorities: The United Nations Security Council and the International Court of Justice have largely become passive observers, if not complicit in these crises. 
• Decline of Universal Principles in International Law: This reality signals the disintegration of once-cherished principles of international law, as articulated by thinkers like Hugo Grotius.
  • The concept of a “common moral community” governed by universal principles of right and wrong now seems like a relic of history.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

False Hope of Peace in West Asia

• Aim for Stability: In recent times, geopolitical actions in West Asia, particularly by Israel and the United States, have been interpreted as steps toward lasting peace.
  • The ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon, alongside efforts to weaken the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance,’ have been seen as efforts to establish long-term stability.
• False Peace: However, these actions may prove to be short-lived and could be considered “pyrrhic victories.”
  • The region is experiencing a surge in covert activities, and the outcome of these events remains uncertain. The belief that peace is imminent in the region is far from assured.

Islamist Terrorism Is An Evolving Threat

• Past to Present: Islamist terrorism has been evolving since 1979, marking a pivotal turning point. This year saw the rise of militant Islam in both Sunni and Shia forms.
• Case of Iran and Afghanistan: In Afghanistan, the Sunni radicalization gave rise to al-Qaeda, while in Iran, the Shia variant led to a different but equally violent movement. These groups sought to inspire uprisings across the Muslim world to overthrow what they considered “infidel” regimes.
• Terrroism 3.0?: The formation of al-Qaeda and ISIS, both of which focused on global jihad, further amplified the reach of extremist ideologies. However, the goals of these groups have evolved, and today, global jihad is no longer their primary objective.
• Resurgence of Terrorism: Both al-Qaeda and ISIS have shown signs of resurgence. Al-Qaeda has restarted its training camps in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and the ISIS affiliate in the region, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), is expanding its reach beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• A Global Concern: There have been increasing attacks in countries such as Moscow, Iran, and Turkey, as well as a growing number of incidents in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Lone Wolf Attack: There is also a rise in ‘lone wolf attacks’ which refer to acts of terrorism carried out by an individual influenced by an ideology acting independently, without direct support from a larger organization.
• Digital Age: Despite efforts to curb it, Islamist terrorism remains a global menace, especially in the digital age, where it is radicalizing individuals online. Today’s terrorist groups are more decentralized, digitally empowered, and adaptable than ever before.

Way Forward

• Curb Digital Radicalization: Tackle online platforms that promote extremist ideologies and ensure stricter monitoring of digital spaces.
• AI-Based Counter-Terrorism Strategies: Utilize artificial intelligence to predict, detect, and prevent terrorist activities, enhancing response efficiency.
• Analysis of West Asian Politics: Continuously monitor political developments in West Asia to understand and mitigate regional terrorism dynamics.
• Intelligence Sharing and Global Collaboration: Strengthen international cooperation and intelligence-sharing mechanisms among nations to combat transnational terrorism effectively.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Conclusion

Global cooperation, vigilance, and a proactive approach to counter-terrorism are necessary to address this ongoing threat before it escalates further. The international community must not ignore the warning signs of a potential resurgence of global terrorism.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!

DOWNLOAD PDF

To enhance private sector research and development in India, the Union Budget has earmarked ₹20,000 crore (almost triple the usual amount) for the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) to support “research, development, and innovation.”

Key Budget Announcements

• ₹20,000 Crore Allocation for Small Modular Reactors Development: The Union Budget has allocated ₹20,000 crore for the development of small modular reactors, with a target of establishing 5 reactors by 2033.
• Research, Development & Innovation Fund: A new fund dedicated to Research, Development, and Innovation has been announced under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• DST’s Total Allocation: The total allocation for the DST has been increased to ₹28,000 crore, which is three times the allocation from last year and seven times the actual expenditure in 2023-24.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Current R&D Landscape

• Private Sector Contribution: The private sector contributes only 36% of the total R&D spending in India, which is significantly lower compared to countries like China, the USA, and South Korea, where private sector contributions account for 50-60%.
• Overall R&D Spending: India’s overall R&D spending as a percentage of GDP stood at 0.64% in 2020, the lowest level since 1995.
• Government R&D Expenditure: In the last five years, business enterprises have accounted for 40% of the R&D expenditure and the rest has been from the government.
• R&D Allocation Comparison (2020-21)
• • Public Sector: 0.30% of sales turnover
  • Private Sector: 1.46% of sales turnover

Focus Areas and Strengths

• Technology Sectors: India’s strengths lie in various technology sectors such as fuel, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, IT, and biotechnology.
• Ambitious Missions: India has launched ambitious missions like the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the IndiaAI Mission, focusing on cutting-edge technologies.
• Start-ups and Sunrise Sectors: The government aims to support start-ups and sunrise sectors, which are still in the early stages but hold high potential for future growth. These sectors are expected to benefit from the new R&D initiatives.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

Key Challenges

• Low Private Sector Participation: Historically, India’s R&D sector has been dominated by the government, with limited private sector involvement.
• Inadequate Private Investment in Research: There is a significant gap in private investment in research and development, which limits the scope of innovation and progress.
• Meagre Returns from Core R&D: Returns on investment in core R&D are often minimal, which discourages further investment from both the public and private sectors.
• Limited Intellectual Property Generation: The generation of intellectual property (IP) remains low, which limits India’s competitiveness in global markets.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Foundational infrastructure for R&D is lacking in India, with key building blocks such as chipsets, semiconductor fabs, and a skilled engineering workforce being insufficient. The lack of a robust innovation ecosystem further exacerbates these gaps.

Concerns

• Absorption Capacity for Massive Investments: There are concerns about whether India can effectively absorb the large investments allocated for R&D, considering the existing infrastructure limitations.
• Unclear Access Mechanism for the Private Sector: The government has not yet clarified how the private sector will access the new funds allocated for R&D.
• Undefined Tangible Public Benefits: The potential public benefits from the R&D investments are still unclear, and the government has not outlined how these investments will lead to tangible outcomes for society.
• Structural Bottlenecks: There are several structural bottlenecks within the R&D ecosystem, which could hinder the effectiveness of the planned investments.
• Inadequate Supporting Infrastructure: The absence of a supportive infrastructure further limits the effectiveness of R&D efforts in India.

Way Forward

• Need for a Clear Roadmap: It is crucial for the government to create a clear roadmap that outlines how the private sector can access R&D funds. Transparency and clarity will be key to encouraging private sector participation.
• Focus Areas for Improvement: To ensure the successful implementation of the R&D budget, the following focus areas should be prioritized:
• Strengthening Foundational Infrastructure: India must address the gaps in foundational infrastructure to effectively utilize the allocated budget.
• Incentivizing Private Innovation: Measures should be taken to incentivize private sector investment in innovation and research.
• Ensuring Long-term Industry Engagement: Long-term engagement with industries is necessary to maintain momentum and ensure sustainable development.
• Sustainable Development Approach: A sustainable development approach should be embedded in all R&D initiatives, ensuring that research leads to practical, long-term outcomes for society.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Conclusion

By addressing these challenges and focusing on key strengths, India can maximize the potential of its R&D investments and create a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!

DOWNLOAD PDF