India must lead AI safety regulation discussions, officials argue

India's IndiaAI Mission is advocating for the country's inclusion in broader consultations on artificial intelligence safety regulations, according to senior officials overseeing the initiative.

Sudeep Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer of the IndiaAI Mission, has underscored the importance of involving India in wider discussions around AI governance rules. His position reflects growing recognition that any global AI safety framework must incorporate perspectives and needs from major technology-developing nations.

The push for greater Indian participation comes as researchers highlight significant gaps in the country's AI development ecosystem. Mayank Vatsa, a professor at IIT Jodhpur, has pointed to the absence of indigenous benchmarking standards as a critical shortcoming. Such benchmarks are essential for evaluating and testing AI systems against locally relevant criteria and use cases.

Experts argue that without Indian involvement in shaping international AI safety standards, the country risks having regulations imposed that may not align with its technological capabilities or development priorities. The calls also reflect concerns that established global frameworks could disadvantage Indian developers and researchers operating outside these decision-making circles.

As countries worldwide grapple with establishing AI governance mechanisms, India's demand for a seat at the table underscores the technology sector's growing importance to the nation's economic and strategic interests.