Bhutan PM: India's AI Summit Transcends Global South for Global Impact

The emergence of India as a central hub for artificial intelligence discourse was solidified this week as Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay characterized the current AI summit in India as an event of profound global importance. Speaking on February 19, 2026, Tobgay emphasized that the discussions taking place are not merely a regional or developmental exercise for the Global South, but are essential for the trajectory of the international community at large. This endorsement underscores a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of technology, where India is increasingly viewed not just as a representative of emerging economies, but as a primary architect of global AI policy and ethical standards.

Historically, the narrative surrounding AI development and regulation has been dominated by the 'AI Superpowers'—the United States and China. However, India's approach, often categorized under the philosophy of 'AI for All,' focuses on creating scalable, inclusive solutions that address diverse societal needs rather than purely commercial or surveillance-oriented goals. Tobgay’s remarks suggest that the international community is increasingly looking to India to bridge the widening gap between high-tech innovation and ethical, accessible deployment. By positioning the summit as globally relevant, Bhutan is signaling a desire for a multilateral framework that prevents an 'AI divide' between the technologically advanced nations and the rest of the world.

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The emergence of India as a central hub for artificial intelligence discourse was solidified this week as Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay characterized the current AI summit in India as an event of profound global importance.

For Bhutan, a nation that prioritizes 'Gross National Happiness' and environmental conservation, the summit represents an opportunity to engage with AI frameworks that respect national sovereignty and cultural values. The implications of this summit are likely to be felt in the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). India has already successfully exported its UPI and Aadhaar models; the next frontier is 'AI as a Public Good.' If India can successfully demonstrate a model for sovereign AI that is both powerful and regulated, it provides a viable alternative to the proprietary 'black box' models currently dominating the Western market.

Industry analysts suggest that the Prime Minister's comments reflect a broader trend of 'technological non-alignment,' where nations seek to build their own AI capabilities while collaborating on global safety standards. The summit's focus on data sovereignty and localized Large Language Models (LLMs) is particularly pertinent for nations like Bhutan, which seek to preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage in the digital age. As the summit progresses, observers should watch for the potential drafting of a 'Delhi Declaration' on AI ethics, which could serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking a middle path between the laissez-faire approach of the US and the highly centralized model of China.

Looking forward, the success of this summit and the high-level diplomatic support it has garnered from neighbors like Bhutan suggest that the future of AI regulation may no longer be decided solely in Silicon Valley or Brussels. India’s leadership in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) has already laid the groundwork, but this summit marks a transition from participation to leadership. The short-term consequence will likely be an increase in bilateral tech-sharing agreements within the South Asian region, while the long-term impact could be a more fragmented, yet more inclusive, global AI ecosystem.