New Delhi, April 10, 2025 – Today marks the commencement of the ninth edition of the Global Technology Summit (GTS), India’s flagship dialogue on geo-technology, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Carnegie India. The three-day event, running from April 10 to 12, promises to be a vibrant platform for shaping the future of global technology policy. With the theme Sambhavna—a Sanskrit word meaning "possibility"—GTS 2025 aims to explore how emerging technologies can foster inclusive growth, enhance digital governance, and forge robust international partnerships. The summit kicks off with an inaugural address by Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, setting the tone for a dynamic exchange of ideas among global leaders, technologists, and policymakers.
A Prestigious Gathering of Global Minds
Held in the heart of India’s capital, GTS 2025 brings together over 150 speakers from more than 40 countries, including powerhouses like the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, alongside emerging voices from Brazil, the UAE, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the European Union. This diverse assembly reflects the summit’s ambition to address the most pressing technological challenges and opportunities facing the world today. From government officials and industry titans to academics and civil society advocates, the participants represent a cross-section of expertise poised to influence the global tech landscape.
The summit’s agenda is as expansive as its guest list. Over the course of three days, more than 40 public sessions—including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic dialogues—will delve into topics ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) governance and digital public infrastructure to cybersecurity, space security, and tech collaboration across the Global South. The breadth of these discussions underscores GTS’s role as a crucible for innovative thinking and actionable solutions.
Sambhavna: Exploring the Possibilities of Technology
This year’s theme, Sambhavna, encapsulates the summit’s forward-looking ethos. In a world increasingly shaped by rapid technological advancements, the concept of "possibility" serves as both an inspiration and a call to action. As the MEA stated, GTS 2025 will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth—ensuring that the benefits of innovation reach all corners of society—while strengthening digital governance and deepening cross-border partnerships. This focus aligns with India’s broader vision of leveraging technology as a tool for development and diplomacy.
The theme resonates particularly in the context of India’s growing stature as a global tech leader. With initiatives like Digital India and a burgeoning startup ecosystem, the country is well-positioned to contribute to—and benefit from—international conversations on technology policy. By hosting GTS, India reinforces its commitment to fostering resilience, innovation, and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.
Key Themes and Sessions
The summit’s agenda is a testament to its ambition to tackle the multifaceted challenges of the digital age. Among the critical topics slated for discussion are:
- AI Governance: As artificial intelligence transforms industries and societies, questions of ethics, regulation, and accountability loom large. Panels will explore frameworks for responsible AI development and deployment, balancing innovation with societal well-being.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India’s success with systems like Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made it a global model for DPI. Sessions will examine how such infrastructure can be scaled and adapted to other nations, particularly in the Global South.
- Data Protection: With data breaches and privacy concerns on the rise, experts will debate strategies to safeguard personal information while enabling data-driven innovation.
- Cybersecurity: As cyber threats grow in sophistication, the summit will address ways to secure digital ecosystems and foster international collaboration to combat cybercrime.
- Space Security: With space emerging as a new frontier for technology and geopolitics, discussions will focus on ensuring the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.
- Emerging Tech Collaboration: The Global South, often underrepresented in tech dialogues, will take center stage as speakers explore ways to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable access to technology.
These sessions will not only highlight challenges but also showcase solutions, drawing on real-world examples and cutting-edge research. The inclusion of ministerial conversations and keynote addresses ensures that high-level policy perspectives will inform the discourse, making GTS a bridge between thought leadership and actionable governance.
Amplifying the Next Generation
One of the standout features of GTS 2025 is its emphasis on youth engagement. Through the GTS Young Ambassadors Programme, students and young professionals from across India will have a direct voice in shaping policy conversations. This initiative reflects the summit’s recognition that the future of technology lies in the hands of the next generation. By involving young minds in discussions on digital futures, responsible AI, and global tech norms, GTS ensures that its outcomes will resonate far beyond the event itself.
The programme is a bold step toward inclusivity, empowering participants to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. It also aligns with the summit’s broader mission of fostering a participatory approach to technology governance—one that transcends generational and geographical boundaries.
Jaishankar’s Address: A Diplomatic and Technological Vision
The inaugural session, headlined by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, is expected to set a powerful tone for the summit. Known for his articulate and pragmatic approach to diplomacy, Jaishankar is likely to emphasize India’s role as a responsible tech power and a champion of international cooperation. His address will not only outline the stakes of the global tech conversation but also signal India’s priorities in navigating the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
As the leader of India’s foreign policy apparatus, Jaishankar brings a unique perspective to GTS. His participation underscores the MEA’s commitment to integrating technology into its diplomatic toolkit—a strategy that has gained traction in recent years through initiatives like vaccine diplomacy and digital outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees can expect his speech to weave together themes of innovation, resilience, and partnership, offering a roadmap for how nations can collaborate in an era defined by technological disruption.
A Platform for Global Impact
Since its inception, the Global Technology Summit has established itself as a premier forum for geo-technological dialogue. Now in its ninth year, GTS continues to evolve, reflecting the shifting dynamics of the tech landscape. By convening leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society, the summit creates a rare space for interdisciplinary collaboration. Its focus on actionable outcomes—rather than mere discussion—sets it apart as a catalyst for real-world change.
The international scope of GTS 2025 is particularly noteworthy. With representatives from over 40 countries, the summit embodies the spirit of global cooperation at a time when unilateral approaches to technology are increasingly untenable. Whether it’s harmonizing AI standards, securing cyberspace, or expanding digital access, the challenges ahead require collective effort—a reality that GTS is uniquely positioned to address.
Looking Ahead: April 10–12, 2025
As the summit unfolds over the next three days, it promises to be a landmark event in the global tech calendar. From the opening address on April 10 to the closing sessions on April 12, GTS 2025 will generate insights, forge connections, and chart a course for the future of technology policy. For India, it’s an opportunity to showcase its leadership and amplify its voice on the world stage. For the international community, it’s a chance to collaborate on solutions that will shape the decades to come.
In a world where technology is both a promise and a peril, the Global Technology Summit offers a beacon of possibility—Sambhavna—guiding us toward a more innovative, resilient, and inclusive future. As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar takes the stage today, the message is clear: the time to harness technology for the global good is now.
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