New Delhi, February 5: China is preparing to send an official delegation to India’s upcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit, signaling gradual improvement in relations between the two nations. The summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.
Reports indicate that a deputy minister from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology may lead this delegation. George Chen, a partner and co-chair of the digital practice at consultancy firm The Asia Group, noted that the Indian embassy in Beijing has reached out regarding visa arrangements for the Chinese representatives.
The Asia Group has consistently engaged with Chinese policymakers on issues related to AI regulation. This is believed to be the first public confirmation that China will participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
At the end of December last year, Chinese state media cited Indian reports claiming that India had formally invited Beijing to join the event. However, neither the Indian embassy nor China’s Ministry of Science and Technology has issued an official statement yet.
The proposed participation of Chinese officials and companies comes at a time when relations between the two countries appear to be stabilizing after years of tension. The relationship saw a significant decline following a deadly clash along the border in 2020, which led India to ban several Chinese mobile apps, including TikTok, citing security concerns.
However, signs of easing tensions emerged after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin last August. The two leaders were also seen in a joint video with Russian President Vladimir Putin, interpreted as a sign of diplomatic thawing.
Since then, steps such as the resumption of direct flights and tourist visas have indicated a move towards improved relations. Meanwhile, China is rapidly leveraging platforms like the SCO to strengthen its role in global AI development.
The AI summit in India is expected to feature several prominent global leaders, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. However, the summit dates coincide with China’s Lunar New Year holiday, the country’s largest annual festival.