China is set to send an official delegation to India’s upcoming AI summit in New Delhi, indicating a positive trend in the two countries’ relationship. Reports suggest that a vice minister from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology will lead the delegation. The Asia Group’s George Chen mentioned that the Indian embassy in Beijing is facilitating visa arrangements for the Chinese representatives.
This development marks the first public confirmation of China’s participation in the AI Impact Summit scheduled from February 16 to 20. Earlier, Chinese state media had reported that New Delhi had extended an official invitation to Beijing for the event. Despite this, there has been no official statement from either the Indian embassy or China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
The planned attendance of Chinese officials and businesses at the summit comes at a time when relations between the two nations are showing signs of improvement after a period of strained ties. The relationship had soured following a border clash in 2020, leading India to ban several Chinese mobile apps due to security concerns. However, recent interactions, including a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have hinted at a thaw in diplomatic relations.
China’s growing involvement in global AI development through platforms like the SCO is evident. The AI summit in India is anticipated to attract key global figures such as Bill Gates and Dario Amodei. Notably, the event coincides with China’s Lunar New Year celebrations, a significant annual festival for the country.
