New Delhi is set to host a landmark Artificial Intelligence summit from February 16 to 20, drawing global tech luminaries. In a promising sign for bilateral relations, China plans to dispatch an official delegation to the event, signaling a thaw in India-China ties strained by years of border tensions.
Reports indicate that a deputy minister from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology will lead the team. The Indian embassy in Beijing has already initiated visa arrangements, as confirmed by George Chen, partner at The Asia Group and co-chair of its digital practice. This marks the first public confirmation of China’s participation in the AI Impact Summit.
The development comes against the backdrop of stabilizing relations post the 2020 Galwan clash, which prompted India to ban popular Chinese apps like TikTok over security concerns. Recent diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last August, have eased tensions.
Visuals of both leaders alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in a shared video further underscored the diplomatic reset. Subsequent steps like resuming direct flights and tourist visas point to steady progress. China, eager to amplify its voice in global AI governance, sees platforms like the SCO as vital.
The summit boasts star attendees including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. However, its timing overlaps with China’s Lunar New Year, the nation’s biggest festival, which may influence delegation size. As AI emerges as a frontier for competition and collaboration, this participation could herald deeper tech dialogues between the Asian giants.
Experts view this as more than a tech event—it’s a diplomatic bridge in an era where AI shapes geopolitics. With both nations vying for AI supremacy, the summit offers a neutral ground to align on regulations and innovations, potentially reshaping their strategic partnership.