My Response
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/20/india-delhi-summit-ai-technology-us-economic-growth
Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has just hosted an international gathering on Artificial Intelligence. The leading figures in the world of AI were present at this meeting. It was a statement of India’s determination to be a leading world player in the field of AI.
It was therefore mind bowing to read the arrogance with which Robert Booth had written the above article in the Guardian. His article starts with a sneering title, ‘India Hungry to Harness US Tech Giants Technology at Delhi Summit’. He goes on to say that the meeting in Delhi raised a charged question whether India could return to being a vassal state when it imports AI to raise the prospects for its 1.4 billion people. A vassal state is a country which is not fully independent and controlled by a superior power. Robert uses the word ‘return’ meaning that in the past it was controlled by the British Empire. India was brutally crushed and robbed of all its wealth. Robert seems to talk on behalf of the US even though he is British. Britain today is seen as a minor power compared to US, Russia, China and India. Jumping on the shoulders of US in not going to get Robert anywhere.
Robert is told in no uncertain terms by the US politicians and AI companies that they see India as a strategic partner and they want to work with India as equals not as controllers.
Robert claims that India has only two options in the field of AI either to align with US or China. Robert goes on to say that India signed the Pax Silica technology with the US that binds India closer to US and away from China. A nosensical statement. S. Krishnan Secretary to the Government of India has said that the goal of the treaty is “resilient collaboration with trusted partners who share our values,” positioning India within the future global tech.
As of early 2026, Indian and Indian-origin CEOs of major global corporations, along with prominent Indian business leaders, are actively investing in Indian companies in the artificial intelligence (AI) and technology sectors.
Key investments and commitments include:
Qualcomm (Cristiano Amon): On February 18, 2026, Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon announced plans to invest up to $150 million in Indian AI startups through its new Strategic AI Venture Fund to foster innovation in the country.
Google (Sundar Pichai): CEO Sundar Pichai has reaffirmed a commitment to India’s digital economy through a $10 billion Digitization Fund.
Microsoft (Satya Nadella): Following a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Satya Nadella confirmed a significant, long-term, multi-billion dollar investment in India to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure.
BlackRock (Larry Fink) & Reliance (Mukesh Ambani): Through their partnership, BlackRock and Reliance are promoting investments in Indian equity markets.
Anthropic: The AI firm is partnering with Infosys to deploy AI tools to Indian enterprises.
Blackstone: Has taken a majority stake in Indian AI startup Neysa as part of a $600 million equity fundraise.
AMD: Partnering with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to develop rack-scale AI infrastructure.
A Boston Consultancy Group AI Radar 2026 report indicates that 21% of 200 surveyed firms in India planned to spend more than $50 million on AI investments, with corporate AI investment expected to double in 2026 to about 1.7% of revenues.
Robert Booth and the Guardian ought to eat a humble pie. Wake up to a world power that is India.
Nitin Mehta
21Feb 2026
www.nitinmehta.co.uk
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