India’s AI-Driven Foreign Policy Moves Rapidly Amid Satellite and Cyber Threats

India’s AI-Driven Foreign Policy: On Monday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs held a dedicated sitting to hear senior Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials brief MPs on India’s tech diplomacy from cyberspace governance and AI norms to outer-space cooperation. 

Committee chair Shashi Tharoor said 17 members attended and “a number of probing questions were asked”. The panel will continue its consideration of the issue in the lead-up to the Global AI Summit in February 2026, which India is preparing to host as a flagship event to showcase its AI ambitions and diplomatic convening power. 

What exactly is the committee looking at?

While the meeting was held behind closed doors, Tharoor’s post and recent public statements suggest three broad themes: 

1. Cyberspace & AI governance
   
   • India’s positions on global cyber norms, data flows and digital trade.
     
   • The emerging agenda for safe and trusted AI, algorithmic accountability and cross-border cooperation.
     
2. Outer space & satellite diplomacy
   
   • India’s role in space governance, debris mitigation and responsible behaviour in orbit.
     
   • Collaboration around satellite launches, navigation systems and space-based internet.
     
3. Link to India’s Global AI Summit 2026
   
   • Aligning MEA’s diplomatic strategy with India’s plan to host a Global / India-AI Impact Summit in February 2026 in New Delhi, focused on “People, Planet and Progress” and themes such as safe AI, human capital and inclusive growth.
     

Tharoor has recently described “technological diplomacy” as a new frontier of Indian foreign policy, noting that India must shape global rules on AI and cyber instead of just responding to them. 

Why this matters now

Several recent developments make such a parliamentary review timely:

• India as AI convenor
  
  • New Delhi is positioning itself as a Global South voice on AI, with the Global/India AI Summit 2026 expected to bring together governments, tech CEOs, researchers and civil society from around the world.
    
• Rising cyber threats
  
  • India faces frequent state-linked cyber intrusions, ransomware and disinformation campaigns, prompting calls for stronger international norms and partnerships.
    
• Space as a diplomatic domain
  
  • After milestones like Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan preparations, India is participating in debates on space traffic management, lunar governance and civilian–military use of orbit.
    

By bringing MEA officials before MPs, the committee is effectively stress-testing India’s strategy on how to link its tech capabilities with its diplomatic narrative and treaty positions.

Technology with ethics and compassion

From a Satgyan lens inspired by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, this parliamentary focus on tech diplomacy raises a deeper question:

“If AI and space power grow, will humanity also grow or only raw power?”

• AI, satellites, cyber tools can help tackle poverty, disasters, health and education, but they can also fuel surveillance, war and inequality.
  
• Satgyan reminds policymakers that knowledge without ethics and compassion easily turns into sophisticated adharma.
  

In short, India’s tech diplomacy will be truly successful only when it protects both national interest and human interest.

Read Also: Digital Privacy & Data Protection in 2026: A Comparison of USA, EU & India

FAQs: India’s AI-Driven Foreign Policy