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Latest Delhi – India is aggressively building a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, aiming for self-reliance and widespread accessibility, according to Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. The initiative, unveiled at the inaugural India AI Impact Summit 2026, focuses on developing a “bouquet of sovereign AI” capabilities across five distinct layers, positioning the nation as a key player in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape. This push comes as India hosts leaders from 118 countries at what officials are calling the “biggest AI summit so far,” underscoring the growing international focus on the technology and its implications.

Vaishnaw emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision centers on democratizing technology and ensuring its benefits reach all segments of the population. “The true value of technology lies in ensuring that its benefits reach the masses,” Vaishnaw stated, adding that the government intends to deploy AI at scale and make it accessible to everyone. The five-layer strategy is designed to address the full spectrum of AI development, from foundational models to the necessary infrastructure and energy resources. This holistic approach reflects a commitment to not just adopting AI, but to shaping its future within India’s specific context.

India’s Five-Layer AI Strategy

The five layers of India’s AI strategy, as outlined by Vaishnaw, encompass the following:

1. Models: A focus on sovereignty, with the belief that over 90% of use cases can be effectively addressed through smaller, specialized AI models, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
2. Compute Infrastructure: Building robust computational resources to support AI development, and deployment.
3. Infrastructure: Developing the necessary data infrastructure to fuel AI algorithms.
4. Energy: Ensuring a sustainable energy supply to power the growing demands of AI systems.
5. Applications: Focusing on real-world solutions in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and finance.

This layered approach is intended to foster innovation and address specific needs within the Indian economy. The emphasis on smaller, specialized models is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a strategy tailored to India’s unique challenges and opportunities. According to the minister, this approach will allow India to address a vast majority of its AI needs without relying heavily on large, expensive models.

Multilingual AI and Data Center Expansion

Beyond the five-layer strategy, India is also prioritizing the development of multilingual AI capabilities. This initiative aims to overcome language barriers and ensure that AI technologies are accessible to a wider range of users across the country’s diverse linguistic landscape. Open Magazine reports that Vaishnaw also highlighted a push for expanding data center capacity to support the growing demands of AI applications. This expansion is crucial for providing the computational power and storage needed to train and deploy AI models effectively.

The government is also actively working to upskill and reskill the IT workforce to meet the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of AI. The Hindu reported that Vaishnaw stated the government is committed to preparing the workforce for the changing demands of the AI-driven economy. This includes initiatives to provide training and education in AI-related skills, ensuring that India has a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and adoption.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also serves as the Minister of Railways and Communications, according to IndiaAI, has been a key figure in driving India’s digital transformation agenda. His leadership in the AI space is seen as crucial to realizing the country’s ambitions in this critical technology sector.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has also seen commitments from major tech companies, including Google, which announced plans to build a full-stack AI hub in Visakhapatnam. This investment underscores the growing interest in India as a hub for AI innovation and development.

What to Expect Next

The next steps for India’s AI strategy will likely involve the implementation of specific programs and policies to support the five-layer framework. Further details on funding allocations, infrastructure development plans, and workforce training initiatives are expected in the coming months. The success of this strategy will depend on effective collaboration between government, industry, and academia, as well as a continued commitment to innovation and inclusivity. The focus on sovereign AI and multilingual capabilities positions India to grow a significant force in shaping the future of artificial intelligence globally.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump is set to convene the inaugural meeting of his newly formed “Board of Peace” on Thursday, focusing on a proposed reconstruction plan for Gaza and outlining a $5 billion aid program. The meeting, structured similarly to cabinet sessions with each participating leader allotted approximately two minutes to speak, comes amid skepticism from several key international allies regarding the board’s composition and objectives.

While the initiative aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and reconstruction needs in Gaza, the absence of Palestinian representation and the inclusion of figures aligned with controversial foreign policies have prompted several nations to decline participation. The board’s formation is viewed by some as an attempt to circumvent traditional diplomatic channels, particularly those led by the United Nations.

Poland will not be actively involved in the board, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk stating his government sees “no possibility of participation under the current circumstances and conditions.” However, Marcin Przydacz from the Presidential Chancellery will attend as an observer, citing the importance of maintaining strong Polish-American and transatlantic relations, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

The meeting is expected to draw heads of state from Indonesia, Romania, Argentina, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, with Vietnam’s Party Chief and President Tô Lâm also anticipated to attend. Several prime ministers, including those from Pakistan, Hungary, Egypt, and Armenia, have indicated their participation. Turkey and Israel will be represented at the level of their foreign ministers. Belarus may also be represented by its foreign minister, according to reporting from The Washington Post.

Alongside Trump, speakers are expected to include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presidential advisor Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a member of the board, is also scheduled to deliver remarks.

Concerns Over Representation and Scope

A significant point of contention is the lack of a political representative from Palestine on the board. Diplomatic sources have indicated this omission is a key reason for the reluctance of several countries to participate. Spain, Austria, Norway, and Sweden have all publicly stated they will not join the initiative. Notably, traditional U.S. Allies such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also absent from the meeting.

Canada was reportedly disinvited after its Prime Minister voiced criticism at the World Economic Forum in Davos. China, India, Brazil, and Russia have all received invitations but have yet to announce their decisions regarding participation, Anadolu Ajansı reported.

Trump’s Vision for the Board

The Board of Peace is intended to oversee the second phase of Trump’s Middle East plan, which focuses on the demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza. Trump has suggested the board could potentially assume a long-term role in the region, potentially superseding that of the United Nations. Funding for the initiative will rely on voluntary contributions, with nations contributing at least $1 billion within the first year receiving permanent membership status.

The structure of the board and its long-term goals remain unclear, raising questions about its effectiveness and legitimacy in the eyes of the international community. The initiative’s success hinges on securing substantial financial commitments and fostering cooperation among a diverse group of nations with often-competing interests.

The meeting on Thursday will be a crucial test of the board’s viability and its potential to influence the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader regional landscape. The absence of key players and the ongoing concerns about representation suggest significant challenges lie ahead.

What comes next will depend on the level of financial commitment secured and the board’s ability to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the Palestinian Authority. Further developments are expected in the coming weeks as participating nations assess the outcomes of the initial meeting and determine their long-term involvement.

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