India has seen significant growth in digital access, especially in rural areas, driven by smartphones and technology. However, while technology promises to revolutionize education, challenges persist.

Evolution of Digital Education in Rural India

• Education Revolution in the 1990s and 2000s: In the 1990s and early 2000s, India witnessed a surge in educational activities, with a strong push for increasing school enrolment and improving infrastructure.
• Contradictory Picture: However, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) surveys during this time revealed that while more children were attending school, learning outcomes did not significantly improve.
• Onset of Digital Technologies: At the same time, digital technologies like computers and mobile phones began to gain popularity, creating an atmosphere filled with possibilities for digital solutions in education and business.

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COVID-19, Digital Learning and Mothers

• 2018: Nearly 90% of rural households had basic mobile phones, and 36% had smartphones.
• 2022: The proportion of households with smartphones rose to over 74%, 
• 2024: This number increased further to 84%.
• Role of Smartphones in Education: The pandemic highlighted the role of smartphones as tools for education, primarily used to distribute texts, worksheets, and videos that replaced traditional textbooks.
  • Virtual training sessions also became more common, enabling students and educators to adapt to remote learning.
• Smartphones With Mothers: However, the ASER data does not provide clear insights into whether mothers of young children own smartphones, which is important for supporting their children’s education and learning.
  • Importance: Mothers with access to smartphones could play a vital role in guiding their children’s educational progress.
  • Mother’s Education: In India, over 40% of mothers of schoolchildren have either not attended school or completed only up to class five.
    • Another 40% have completed schooling between class six and class 10, and only a small portion have completed class 10 or higher.

Cycle of Technological Hope and Education

• Revolutions: India has seen the rise of several technological revolutions—computers, the internet, mobile phones, and now AI.
• Question of Affordability: Each wave has brought new hope for revolutionizing education, particularly for the underprivileged. 
  • However, the promise of these technologies has not yet fully materialized for this group. A major obstacle has been the availability of affordable devices.

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Conclusion

India needs to develop a comprehensive roadmap to ensure that the benefits of technology are accessible to those who need it the most.

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In November 2024, after hours of discussing elderly care, a postgraduate student in Michigan, USA received a shocking message from AI chatbot, Gemini: “This is for you, human… You are a waste of time and resources… You are a stain on the universe. Please die.” It could have seriously affected a vulnerable person, especially someone struggling with depression. This highlights the need for strong AI regulations to prevent harm.

Growing Need for AI Regulation

• Beyond Borders: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing industries, economies, and global politics. AI’s influence extends across borders, with data, algorithms, and innovations moving freely between countries.
• Consequences for All: This interconnected world means we all face the effects of AI, both positive and negative. Because of this, global cooperation is essential to develop proper safety standards for AI.
• Where Does India Stand?: India, a fast adopter of AI, must take part in these global efforts. Currently, India does not have a national AI safety institute. Yet, international efforts to regulate AI are already underway.

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Global AI Safety Efforts

• International Network of AI Safety Institutes: In November 2024, the International Network of AI Safety Institutes was created in San Francisco. This network aims to bring countries together to ensure AI is developed safely. 
  • Seoul Statement of Intent: It builds on the Seoul Statement of Intent, which was signed earlier that year. This agreement encouraged nations to work together to develop AI safety science.
  • Objective: The network serves as a platform for collaboration, where experts can share ideas, create global safety standards, and address emerging risks.
• Where Does India Stand?: However, India is not yet part of this important network, even though it plays a major role in AI development worldwide.

Why India Must Join Global AI Safety Discussions

• Largest Users: India is one of the largest users of AI in the world. According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, India has an AI adoption rate of 30%, higher than the global average of 26%.
• ChatGPT Users in India: Additionally, India has the second-largest number of ChatGPT users, just behind the United States. 
• Need to Join the Discussion: As AI adoption grows across industries like healthcare, finance, agriculture, and logistics, it is crucial for India to participate in discussions about AI safety and regulations.
  • By joining the global conversation, India can ensure its AI ecosystem remains secure, ethical, and competitive. It will also help India position itself as a global leader in responsible AI development.

Risks of Not Engaging in Global AI Safety

• AI As Geopolitical Weapon: As AI becomes more powerful, countries like the United States have started imposing restrictions on its use.
  • For Example, the U.S. has suggested imposing export controls on advanced AI software, mainly to limit China’s access to certain technologies.
• Case of India: India could be affected by these policies as well, as AI tools and technologies essential for India’s AI development could become restricted.
  • Active participation in international AI safety forums will help India protect its interests while encouraging global cooperation.
  • India’s participation in these discussions will help shape global frameworks that promote fairness, transparency, and security.
  • It will also attract international investments, helping Indian startups access global markets and drive AI innovation.

India’s Experience with Technology and Inclusion

• India has a strong AI ecosystem
• India also has a strong IT sector and skilled workforce.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India has already demonstrated its ability to manage large-scale technology initiatives, such as Aadhaar (the national identity system) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). 
• India can create affordable, scalable, and inclusive AI solutions.

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Way Forward

• Establish a National AI Safety Institute: The USA, UK, and Europe have already set up dedicated AI safety institutes to regulate and ensure the responsible development of AI.
  • India currently lacks a national institute focused specifically on AI safety, which is crucial to safeguard its AI ecosystem.
• Join Global AI Standards Platforms: India should actively participate in the International Network of AI Safety Institutes. This global platform allows countries to collaborate on setting universal safety standards and regulations for AI.
  • If India does not engage in the development of these global AI rules, it may be forced to follow foreign standards that may not suit its specific needs.
• Support Indian AI Startups in Global Markets: Indian AI startups need access to funding, international collaboration, and research opportunities to grow and thrive on the global stage.
  • Regulatory barriers for AI startups should be reduced to ensure they can compete effectively with foreign AI companies and make their mark in the global market.
• Focus on AI Ethics and Accountability: AI must be developed and used in a fair, unbiased, and safe manner. To achieve this, strict ethical guidelines should be enforced to ensure accountability in AI’s use.
  • Measures should be put in place to prevent the misuse of AI, such as the creation of deepfakes, spread of misinformation, and breaches of privacy.

Conclusion

As the adage goes, in global politics, you are either at the table, or on the menu. The time to act is now, and India must embrace this responsibility to shape the future of AI for the better.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in January 2025 that  the first visit of her second term will be to India to “upgrade the strategic partnership”.

Introduction

• What is EU?: The European Union (EU) is not just a continent but a union of 27 countries, making it one of the most significant economic and political entities in the world.
  • The EU came into existence when the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 was signed. Member countries surrendered their own currency and adopted the Euro (€).
• Eu-India Summit: In 2004, at the 5th India-EU Summit, India and the EU became strategic partners.
  • Till now, 15 India-EU Summits have taken place, providing a platform for reviewing progress and setting new goals annually.

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Converging and Diverging Interests

Common Interests: (Where India and the EU Agree)

• Shared Values: Both India and the EU strongly support global institutions such as the UN, WTO, and the Paris Climate Agreement, advocating for peace, stability, and a predictable international system.
  • Democracy: In the South Asian region, India stands out as the only country with a Western-style functional democracy, a principle that the EU also champions.
• Sustainable Development: India and the EU share the objective of tackling global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and clean energy.
  • To further this goal, the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership has been established, representing a concrete step in their cooperation to address environmental issues and promote sustainable development.

• Trade and Investment: The EU is India’s largest trading partner, with goods trade between the two amounting to €124 billion (₹11 lakh crore) in 2023.
  • Exports: India’s exports to the EU have grown, making it the second-largest destination for Indian goods after the US.
  • FDI: In terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the EU invested €108.3 billion in India in 2022, although this is significantly lower than the EU’s investments in China (€247.5 billion) and Brazil (€293.4 billion).
  • Jobs: Additionally, over 6,000 European companies operate in India, providing 1.7 million direct jobs and 5 million indirect jobs, which further strengthens their economic ties.

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Differences (Where India and the EU Diverge)

• Geopolitical Priorities: India pursues its national interests independently and focuses primarily on regional security.
  • For instance, during the Ukraine-Russia war, India refrained from condemning Russia, while the EU took a vocal stance against it.
  • In contrast, the EU, as a collective entity, relies on the US and NATO for its security and prioritizes its transatlantic partnerships.
  • India, however, prefers not to align itself with any military grouping, maintaining strategic autonomy in its foreign policy.
• Security Approaches: India is responsible for its own security, with no external security guarantor, while the EU depends on NATO for its defense.
  • Indo-Pacific: The EU’s role in Indo-Pacific security is limited, making it less relevant to India’s immediate security concerns, particularly in the face of regional challenges.
  • EU’s Priority: This is one of the reasons India has joined the QUAD grouping. In contrast, the EU’s security priority remains the Atlantic region.
• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Reform: Although many EU member states support India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat, there is no unified or joint EU stance on the matter. This lack of consensus on this key global governance issue highlights a divergence in their diplomatic positions.
• Human Rights and Democracy Promotion: The EU has often been critical of India’s human rights record, particularly regarding the treatment of minorities. However, India views such criticism as interference in its internal affairs.
• EU-China’s Relations: Furthermore, the EU maintains strong trade relations with China despite its human rights violations, such as the repression of Uyghurs and supporters of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. This exposes the EU’s double standards when it comes to human rights.
• • India’s Stance on Democracy: Unlike the EU and the US, India does not actively promote democracy abroad. India believes that democracy is a journey and does not seek to impose its model on other countries.
  • This fundamental difference in approach to global democracy promotion is a point of divergence between India and the EU.

Key Areas of India-EU Cooperation

• Trade and Investment: The EU has emerged as India’s top trading partner, surpassing both the US and China. In 2023, trade in goods between India and the EU reached €124 billion, while services trade amounted to €50.8 billion.
  • Non-Tariff Barriers: India has reduced its tariff barriers; however, the EU continues to have concerns over non-tariff barriers, including complex certification processes and quotas that affect trade flows.
  • Investment: The EU’s direct investments in India are substantial but still fall behind its investments in China and Brazil.
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Regulations: Indian agricultural exports face stringent food safety and quality standards imposed by the EU. For instance, the Alfonso mango was banned due to non-compliance with EU standards.
• Lack of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Negotiations for the India-EU Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) have been ongoing for years, but an agreement has yet to be concluded, hindering further growth in trade.
• Climate Change and Renewable Energy: Both India and the EU are committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, but they face different challenges in addressing climate change.
  • India’s Perspective: India prioritizes economic growth and development, balancing the need for industrialization with environmental concerns.
  • EU’s Perspective: In contrast, the EU pushes for stricter climate regulations, having already achieved a level of development that allows it to focus more heavily on environmental standards.
• Nuclear Energy Sector: The India-EU Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement holds significant potential to increase investments in nuclear energy, which can help India meet its energy demands while reducing carbon emissions.
• Technology and Research & Development (R&D): India boasts a strong scientific and technological base but faces challenges related to inadequate funding and infrastructure.
  • Scope for Collaboration: Collaboration in sectors such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity for mutual benefit, with the EU bringing its expertise and resources to the table.
  • Other Ways to Support: The EU can further support Indian R&D through scholarships, research grants, and a more flexible visa regime for Indian scientists seeking to collaborate on international projects.
• Social Development Cooperation: The EU provides significant financial assistance for India’s social development programs, including the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for education and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for healthcare.
• • India Provides Unique Opportunities: India, as a bridge between the developed and developing world, offers a unique opportunity for cooperation in social sectors, and the EU’s support in these areas can help advance shared goals of development and social welfare.

Challenges in India-EU Relations

• Lack of Political Cohesion in the EU: The European Union is constantly evolving, and its internal divisions often slow down decision-making processes.
  • Lack of Cohesive Policy: Each EU member country has its own foreign policy priorities, making it challenging to develop a unified approach towards India. This lack of political cohesion within the EU hampers the potential for more streamlined and consistent cooperation.
• China’s Influence on the EU: Despite political differences, the EU maintains strong economic ties with China, which creates a level of caution for India regarding the EU’s strategic commitments.
• Slow Progress in Trade Negotiations: Negotiations for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have been ongoing for years, yet there has been no conclusive agreement.
  • Reasons for Delay: The EU seeks greater access to India’s financial, legal, and e-commerce sectors, while India desires relaxed visa rules and fewer trade restrictions. These differing priorities have led to delays in finalizing a comprehensive trade deal.
• Security and Defense Cooperation is Weak: Unlike the US and Russia, the EU does not offer significant security assistance to India, which limits the scope of their security collaboration.
  • Defense Partnership: India-EU relations lack a robust military or defense cooperation framework, unlike the strong defense ties between India and Russia. This weak security cooperation poses a challenge in fostering deeper strategic alignment between India and the EU.

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Future Prospects

• Establishing a More Effective Strategic Dialogue: Both India and the EU need to develop a clear, realistic, and action-oriented approach to their strategic partnership.
  • India should advocate for the EU’s recognition of its strategic autonomy, ensuring that both sides respect India’s independent foreign policy choices and priorities.
• Strengthening Bilateral Trade Agreements: Both parties should work towards reducing trade barriers, simplifying regulations, and finalizing the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
  • India should push for increased European investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology to boost economic growth and create jobs.
• Climate and Energy Partnership: India and the EU should collaborate more extensively on green energy projects, leveraging their shared commitment to addressing climate change.
  • The EU can provide financial and technological support to help India transition to cleaner energy sources, fostering a more sustainable energy future for both regions.
• Expanding Security and Geopolitical Cooperation: The EU should take a more active role in Indo-Pacific security, recognizing the growing importance of the region to global stability.
  • India and the EU can enhance cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and defense technology, working together to address shared security challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

Conclusion

With sustained effort and political will, India and the EU can navigate the complexities of global challenges, ensuring a stronger and more resilient relationship for the future.

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